70 year old female with SNT shows increased RAI, Serum T3 and T4 are elevated. Most probable diagnosis is:
**Core Concept**
This question assesses the differential diagnosis of hyperthyroidism based on **radioactive iodine uptake (RAI)** and thyroid hormone levels. Increased RAI with elevated T3 and T4 points to **thyroid overproduction** (e.g., Graves’ disease, toxic multinodular goiter) rather than **thyroiditis** (where hormones leak from damaged glands, causing low RAI).
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
**Toxic multinodular goiter (TMNG)** is a common cause of hyperthyroidism in older adults. It involves autonomous hormone production by nodules, leading to **elevated RAI uptake** (due to active thyroid tissue) and **increased T3/T4**. The elderly predilection aligns with the patient’s age, distinguishing it from Graves’ disease (more common in younger patients). Pathologically, TMNG nodules escape TSH regulation, causing hyperfunction.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Graves’ disease* is incorrect because while it causes elevated T3/T4 and high RAI uptake, it is less common in elderly patients and presents with **ophthalmopathy** and **dermopathy**, which are absent here.
**Option B:** *Subacute thyroiditis