Toxic adenomas have a low intrathyroidal iodine pool and preferentially secrete T3. Prior to the development of frank hyperthyroidism, the adenoma may secrete just enough thyroid hormone to lower TSH and suppress the TSH response to TRH - the so-called subclinical toxic adenoma.
Toxic adenoma may be treated by radioiodine therapy, or by surgical removal of the nodule and the affected lobe, after the patient has been rendered euthyroid with antithyroid drugs.
