What is the potential health effect of a nontoxic nodular goiter?

A nontoxic nodular goiter, also known as a simple goiter, primarily refers to an enlargement of the thyroid gland that is not associated with hyperthyroidism or malignancy. While it typically does not produce excess thyroid hormones, it can sometimes lead to complications that may result in irregular hormone production. Although not all nontoxic goiters secrete excess hormones, there remains potential for some individuals to experience conditions where this happens, often due to the presence of nodules that can sometimes function autonomously.

Weight loss would generally be associated with hyperthyroidism, which is not characteristic of a nontoxic goiter. Furthermore, calcification of bones is unrelated to the presence of a goiter and does not stem from thyroid issues. Painful swelling could occur in different pathologies or conditions but is not a standard feature of nontoxic nodular goiters, which do not typically cause symptoms unless they grow large enough to apply pressure on the surrounding structures. Thus, the connection to excess thyroid hormone production, while not universally applicable, is the most relevant health effect to consider in the context of complications arising from nontoxic nodular goiters.