Prognosis of an autonomous adenoma | Autonomous adenoma of the thyroid gland

Prognosis of an autonomous adenoma

The duration of the disease in an autonomous adenoma is very individual for each patient. Many patients with an autonomic adenoma are symptom-free, their thyroid gland values are within the normal range and the lump is only detected as a random finding, e.g. in ultrasound. Of course, these patients do not need any therapy and should only have regular laboratory tests.

If there is a symptomatic hyperthyroidism, this should be treated. In this case, the so-called thyrostatic tablets must be taken for at least 8-12 months before a discharge attempt can be started. If the patient decides on radioiodine therapy or surgical removal of the thyroid gland, the disease is finally cured.

For this, the thyroid hormones must be taken in tablet form for the rest of the patient’s life. The prognosis of an autonomous adenoma is therefore good, as there are several treatment options. The autonomous adenoma is a benign lump and shows no tendency to develop into thyroid cancer.

Course of disease

The course of disease in an autonomic adenoma can be very different, but in principle often follows the same pattern. Many patients are asymptomatic at the beginning of the disease. The autonomic adenoma is caused by increased growth stimuli due to iodine deficiency.

Only when the patient starts to take in more iodine again can it lead to hyperthyroidism with the typical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating and weight loss. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the diagnosis is often made quickly by laboratory examination. If the patient is under appropriate therapy, the thyroid gland values should be back to normal and any symptoms should disappear.