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answers (2)
Please note, I don't have medical background. Should you require further information and clarification, please consult real doctors.
According to MayoClinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/goiter/DS00217
Goiter is a condition when they thyroid gland grows larger than normal. Thyroid is
-- quote --
a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck just below your Adam's apple.
-- end quote --
According to MayoClinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/goiter/DS00217
Goiter is a condition when they thyroid gland grows larger than normal. Thyroid is
-- quote --
a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck just below your Adam's apple.
-- end quote --
voted helpful: drmatt
A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is not cancer.
Causes
There are different kinds of goiters. A simple goiter can occur for no known reason, or when the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs. The thyroid gland makes up for this by becoming larger.
There are two types of simple goiter:
Endemic (colloid) goiter
Sporadic (nontoxic) goiter
Goiters occur in groups of people who live in areas with iodine-poor soil. These regions are usually away from the sea coast. People in these communities might not get enough iodine in their diet (iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormone).
The use of iodized table salt in the United States today prevents iodine deficiency. However, a lack of enough iodine is still common in central Asia, the Andes region of South America, and central Africa.
In most cases of sporadic goiter the cause is unknown. Occasionally, certain medications such as lithium or aminoglutethimide can cause a nontoxic goiter.
Inherited factors may cause goiters.
Risk factors include:
Age over 40 years
Family history of goiter
Female gender
Living in an area where people do not get enough iodine
Not getting enough iodine in the diet
Symptoms Return to top
The main symptom is a swollen thyroid gland. The size may range from a single small nodule to large neck lump.
The swollen thyroid can put pressure on the windpipe and esophagus, which can lead to:
Breathing difficulties
Cough
Swallowing difficulties
Wheezing
There may be neck vein swelling and dizziness when the arms are raised above the head.
Exams and Tests
The doctor will feel your neck as you swallow. The doctor may be able to feel swelling in the area.
Tests that may be done include:
Free thyroxine (T4)
Thyroid scan and uptake
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Ultrasound of thyroid
If nodules are found on ultrasound, a biopsy should be done to check for thyroid cancer.
Treatment
A goiter only needs to be treated if it is causing symptoms.
Treatments for an enlarged thyroid include:
Radioactive iodine to shrink the gland
Surgery (thyroidectomy) to remove all or part of the gland
Small doses of Lugol's iodine or potassium iodine solution if the goiter is due to iodine deficiency
Treatment with thyroid hormone supplements if the goiter is due to underactive thyroid
Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top
A simple goiter may disappear on its own, or may become large. Over time, destruction to the thyroid may cause the gland to stop making enough thyroid hormone. This condition is called hypothyroidism.
Occasionally, a goiter may become toxic and produce thyroid hormone on its own. This can cause high levels of thyroid hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism.
I am not a doctor but I do have Hypothyroidism aka Graves disease so I am familiar with this area. Thank goodness I don't have this kind of problem though.
Causes
There are different kinds of goiters. A simple goiter can occur for no known reason, or when the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body's needs. The thyroid gland makes up for this by becoming larger.
There are two types of simple goiter:
Endemic (colloid) goiter
Sporadic (nontoxic) goiter
Goiters occur in groups of people who live in areas with iodine-poor soil. These regions are usually away from the sea coast. People in these communities might not get enough iodine in their diet (iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormone).
The use of iodized table salt in the United States today prevents iodine deficiency. However, a lack of enough iodine is still common in central Asia, the Andes region of South America, and central Africa.
In most cases of sporadic goiter the cause is unknown. Occasionally, certain medications such as lithium or aminoglutethimide can cause a nontoxic goiter.
Inherited factors may cause goiters.
Risk factors include:
Age over 40 years
Family history of goiter
Female gender
Living in an area where people do not get enough iodine
Not getting enough iodine in the diet
Symptoms Return to top
The main symptom is a swollen thyroid gland. The size may range from a single small nodule to large neck lump.
The swollen thyroid can put pressure on the windpipe and esophagus, which can lead to:
Breathing difficulties
Cough
Swallowing difficulties
Wheezing
There may be neck vein swelling and dizziness when the arms are raised above the head.
Exams and Tests
The doctor will feel your neck as you swallow. The doctor may be able to feel swelling in the area.
Tests that may be done include:
Free thyroxine (T4)
Thyroid scan and uptake
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Ultrasound of thyroid
If nodules are found on ultrasound, a biopsy should be done to check for thyroid cancer.
Treatment
A goiter only needs to be treated if it is causing symptoms.
Treatments for an enlarged thyroid include:
Radioactive iodine to shrink the gland
Surgery (thyroidectomy) to remove all or part of the gland
Small doses of Lugol's iodine or potassium iodine solution if the goiter is due to iodine deficiency
Treatment with thyroid hormone supplements if the goiter is due to underactive thyroid
Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top
A simple goiter may disappear on its own, or may become large. Over time, destruction to the thyroid may cause the gland to stop making enough thyroid hormone. This condition is called hypothyroidism.
Occasionally, a goiter may become toxic and produce thyroid hormone on its own. This can cause high levels of thyroid hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism.
I am not a doctor but I do have Hypothyroidism aka Graves disease so I am familiar with this area. Thank goodness I don't have this kind of problem though.
voted helpful: drmatt
Voted as best: jellylala
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