Overview
Your thyroid is a gland found in your neck just below your Adamâs apple. It secretes hormones that help regulate bodily functions, including metabolism, the process that turns food into energy. It also regulates heart rate, respiration, digestion, and mood. A condition that increases the size of your thyroid is called a goiter. A goiter may develop in anyone, but is more common in women. Sometimes, it affects the way the thyroid functions.
The Types of Goiters
Goiters have many causes. As a result, there are different types. These include:
Colloid Goiter (Endemic)
A colloid goiter develops from the lack of iodine, a mineral essential to the production of thyroid hormones. People who get this type of goiter usually live in areas where iodine is scarce.
Nontoxic (Sporadic)
The cause of a nontoxic goiter is usually unknown, though it may caused by medications like lithium. Lithium is used to treat mood disorders such as a bipolar disorder. Nontoxic goiters do not affect the production of thyroid hormone, and thyroid function is healthy. They are also benign.
Toxic Nodular or Multinodular Goiter
This type of goiter forms one or more small nodules as it enlarges. The nodules produce their own thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism. It generally forms as an extension of a simple goiter.
What Causes a Goiter?
Iodine deficiency is the main cause of goiters. Iodine is essential to helping your thyroid produce thyroid hormones. When you do not have enough iodine, the thyroid works extra hard to make thyroid hormone, causing the gland to grow larger.
Other causes include the following:
Gravesâ Disease
This disease occurs when your thyroid produces more thyroid hormone than normal, which is known as hyperthyroidism. The excessive production of hormones makes the thyroid increase in size.
Hashimotoâs Disease
When you have Hashimotoâs disease, the thyroid doesnât produce enough thyroid hormone, causing hypothyroidism. The low thyroid hormone causes the pituitary gland to make more thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which causes the thyroid to swell.
Inflammation
Some people develop thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid that can cause a goiter.
Nodules
Solid or fluid-containing cysts may appear on the thyroid and cause it to swell. These nodules are often noncancerous.
Thyroid Cancer
Cancer may affect the thyroid, which causes swelling on one side of the gland. Thyroid cancer is not as common as the formation of benign nodules.
Pregnancy
Being pregnant can sometimes cause the thyroid to become larger.
Who Is at Risk for a Goiter?
You may be at risk for a goiter if you:
Have a family history of thyroid cancer, nodules, and other problems that affect the thyroid.
Do not get enough iodine in your diet.
Have a condition that decreases the iodine in your body.
Are female. Women have a higher risk for goiter than men.
Are over the age of 40. Aging may affect the health of your thyroid.
Are pregnant or experiencing menopause. These risk factors are not easily understood, but pregnancy and menopause may trigger problems in the thyroid.
Have radiation therapy in the neck or chest area. Radiation may change the way your thyroid functions.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Goiter?
The primary symptom of a goiter is noticeable swelling in your neck. If you have nodules on your thyroid, they may range in size from very small to very large. The presence of nodules may increase the appearance of swelling.
Other symptoms include the following:
difficulty swallowing or breathing
coughing
hoarseness in your voice
dizziness when you raise your arm above your head
How Is Goiter Diagnosed?
Your physician will check for neck for swelling. He also orders a number of diagnostic tests that include these below:
Blood Tests
Blood tests can detect changes in hormone levels and an increased production of antibodies, which are produced in response to an infection or injury.
Thyroid Scan
Your doctor may order scans of your thyroid. These scans show the size and condition of your goiter.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound produces images of your neck, the size of your goiter, and whether there are nodules. Over time, an ultrasound can show changes in those nodules and the goiter.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure that involves taking small samples of your thyroid tissue. The samples are sent to a laboratory for examination.
How Is Goiter Treated?
Your doctor will decide on a course of treatment based on the size and condition of your goiter, and symptoms associated with it. Treatment is also based on health problems that contribute to the goiter.
Medications
If you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, medications to treat these conditions may be enough to shrink a goiter. Medications (corticosteroids) to reduce your inflammation may be used if you have thyroiditis.
Surgeries
Surgical removal of your thyroid (thyroidectomy) is an option if yours grows too large or does not respond to medication therapy.
Radioactive Iodine
In people with toxic multinodular goiters, RAI may be necessary. The RAI is ingested orally, and then travels to your thyroid through your blood, where it destroys the excess tissue.
Home Care
Depending on your type of goiter, you may need to increase or decrease your iodine intake at home.
If a goiter is small and does not cause any problems, you may require no treatment at all.
What Is to Be Expected in the Long Term?
Many goiters disappear with treatment, while others may increase in size. Speak with your doctor if your symptoms increase or become worse. If your thyroid continues to make more hormones than you need, this can lead to hyperthyroidism. Not making enough hormones may lead to hypothyroidism.
Source: http://www.healthline.com