Isodense thyroid nodule

[sallyann165]

I had some blood tests that has by TSH at .01 and my T3 is normal but my T4 is high at 209.  I had an ultrasound and they found that my thyroid was homogeneous(??) They did find a 1cm nodule on the left side that was isodense.  My family doctor said not to lose sleep over it but referred my to an endocrenologist (??) to look at it. It said that the nodule is isodense and pretty small, probably the reason my thyroid is overactive.  Is an isodense nodule usually the kind that is cancerous?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Not likely to be cancer - would watch it over time and consider FNA if needed.  The I-123 scan would be the next step though given the low TSH.

898 -- Ethanol injection is not ready for "prime time" to treat hot nodules.....surgery or I-131 are the mainstays of treatment.

[898]

Missed important thing: such nodules in most cases are benign.

[898]

Isodense is the term similar to isoechoic- it means it has same density,but different structure then the rest of the gland. If the thyroid scan will find this nodule as HOT it could be responsible for elevated T4 hormone levels.
The hot nodule either could be treated with low dose of radioiodine or ethanol injected (not super effective due to this 1 cm size). The biopsy is suggested for the nodules that are cold and more 1 cm in size