What is a Goiter?

[marie]

A goiter is an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland found just below your Adam's apple. The thyroid helps set your metabolism - how your body gets energy from the foods you eat.

Causes of Goiter Include

• Iodine deficiency - Iodine is a mineral that your thyroid uses for making thyroid hormones. Not getting enough iodine in your food and water can cause your thyroid to get bigger. This cause of goiter is uncommon in the United States because iodine is added to table salt.
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis - a type of autoimmune thyroid disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland.
• Graves' disease - a type of autoimmune disease that causes over-activity of the thyroid gland, causing hyperthyroidism.
• Thyroid nodules - a swelling in one section of the thyroid gland.
• Thyroiditis - inflammation, or swelling, of the thyroid.
• Thyroid cancer

Usually, the only symptom of a goiter is a swelling in your neck. But a very large or advanced goiter can cause a tight feeling in your throat, coughing, or problems swallowing or breathing.

Having a goiter does not always mean that your thyroid is not making the right amount of hormones. Depending on the cause of the goiter, your thyroid could be making too much, not enough, or the right amount of hormones.

Treatment of Goiter

The treatment for goiter depends on the cause of the goiter. If your goiter is caused by not getting enough iodine, you may be given an iodine supplement to swallow and T4 hormone, if need be. Other treatments include:

• Radioiodine to shrink the goiter, especially if parts of the goiter are overactive
• Surgery to remove part or almost all of the thyroid

(I found this informative information at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Website)

[Anonymous Bot]

[davidfussion]

A goiter also called a bronchocele, is a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or laryn. Goiter simply refers to the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. A Goiter is a condition when the front of the neck swells up due to enlarged thyroid gland.

[brandonbrownes]

Wow what a information is that. Thanks for the sharing this information. Goiter is also called bronchiole, there is swelling of the thyroid gland, which can lead to swelling of the neck or larynx . Goiter usually occurs when the thyroid is not functioning properly. It occurs because of Iodine. And the solution is that always eat iodine salt.

[harleyjames08]

Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland and tumors. Personal goiter may have normal levels of thyroid hormones (euthyroid), too high (hyperthyroidism) or too low (hypothyroidism). The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland, located in the neck, just below the Adam's apple. If the thyroid gland becomes larger than a normal patient is known as goiter. Goiter usually painless, but if the gland is not very large the patient may have problems swallowing properly, and may even cough.

[vimssmith]

Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland and is not cancerous. A person with goiter can have normal levels of thyroid hormone ,
excessive levels or levels that are too low.

[denyalmartin]

Great Topic. I think goiter is painless and only in a few cases, the gland enlarges abnormally, resulting in cough and difficulty in swallowing.