Goiter: Read about symptoms, causes and treatment

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Goiter
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Goiter

• Goiter refers to an abnormal growth of your
  thyroid gland. Though goiters are typically
  unproblematic, a large goiter can cause a cough
  and make it difficult for you to swallow or
  breathe. A goiter can be result of over- or
  underproduction of thyroid hormones or lumps that
  develop in the gland itself.

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Contributory factors causing goiter

• Suffering from goiter doesn't necessarily mean
  that your thyroid gland is working abnormally.
  Even when it's inflamed, your thyroid may produce
  normal amounts of hormones. It might also,
  however, produce inadequate levels
  of thyroxine (T-4) and T-3 (triiodothyronine)
  hormones. There are a number of reasons behind
  swelling of your thyroid gland
• Iodine deficiency Iodine is the prime
  requirement for the production of thyroid
  hormones and is found in seawater and in the soil
  of coastal areas. A diet which lacks iodine is
  the main cause of goiter. It is not a case in
  countries where iodine is routinely added to
  table salt and other foods. 

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Contributory factors causing goiter
Continue

• Graves' disease Goiter can sometimes occur due
  to overproduction of thyroid hormone
  (hyperthyroidism). In Graves' disease, antibodies
  produced by your immune system accidently attack
  your thyroid gland causing it to make surplus
  thyroxine. This in turn causes the thyroid to
  swell. 
• Hashimoto's disease Goiter can also occur due to
  underproduction of thyroid hormone
  (hypothyroidism). Hashimoto's disease is an
  autoimmune disorder which damages your thyroid so
  that it produces too little. The pituitary gland
  then makes more TSH to stimulate the thyroid
  which causes the gland to enlarge. 
• Multinodular goiter In Multinodular goiter,
  several nodules develop in both sides of your
  thyroid, resulting in swelling of the gland. 
• Inflammation Thyroiditis is an inflammatory
  condition that can cause pain and swelling in the
  thyroid. It may lead to hyperthyroidism or
  hypothyroidism.

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Symptoms

• Not all goiters have signs and symptoms, but
  when they do, it includes
• A noticeable inflammation at the bottom of the
  neck that may be particularly obvious when you
  shave or put on makeup
• Heaviness in your throat 
• Coughing
• Change in voice 
• Difficulty swallowing and breathing

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Treatments

• Treatment for goiter depends on its size,
  symptoms and the underlying cause.
  Your endocrinologist may suggest 
• Supervision If your goiter is not too large and
  doesn't cause problems, and your thyroid is
  functioning normally, your endocrinologist may
  ask you to adopt a wait-and-see approach.  
• Medications If you have hypothyroidism, your
  doctor will prescribe Levothyroxine, which will
  resolve the symptoms of hypothyroidism and slow
  the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone from
  your pituitary gland, often decreasing the size
  of the goiter. For swelling of your thyroid
  gland, your doctor may suggest aspirin or a
  corticosteroid medication to treat the
  inflammation.  

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Treatments
Continue

• Surgery Removing all or certain portion of your
  thyroid gland is an option if you have a large
  goiter thats causing problems. Surgery is also
  recommended for thyroid cancer. Post surgery, you
  may need to take Levothyroxine depending on the
  amount of thyroid removed.
• Radioactive iodine In certain cases, radioactive
  iodine is used to treat an overactive thyroid
  gland. It is taken orally and reaches your
  thyroid gland through your bloodstream,
  destroying thyroid cells. The treatment
  significantly reduces the size of the goiter.
• Continuous monitoring of your condition may be
  required is symptoms reappear.

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