The thyrotropin-stimulation test in patients with solitary hot nodules of the thyroid gland.

Thyrotropin (TSH)-stimulation tests were performed on 21 patients with solitary hot nodules in the thyroid gland. Twelve of the patients were euthyroid and nine were hyperthyroid. The average age of the euthyroid patients was 38 +/- 14 (SD) years, and that of the hyperthyroid patients, 55 +/- 8 years. Prior to TSH stimulation, the scanograms of the euthyroid patients showed 131I uptake only in the nodules, while after the TSH test, almost equal uptake was observed in both lobes. The scanograms of the hyperthyroid patients that showed 131I uptake only in the area of the nodules prior to the TSH test showed no appreciable change after TSH stimulation.