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SHOMON
Thyroid Nodules, Lumps, Enlarged Thyroid, GoiterShomon, M August 2006
"What is a Goiter? A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid, and is sometimes used as a term to refer to an enlarged thyroid. The thyroid becomes large enough so that it can be seen as enlarged on ultrasounds or x- rays, and may be enlarged enough to enlarge the neck area visibly.
"What are the Symptoms of a Goiter? Some goiters can be tender to the touch. An enlarged thyroid can also press on your windpipe or your esophagus, which may make you cough, have a hoarse voice, feel shortness of breath, feel like you don't want to wear turtlenecks or neckties, feel fullness in your neck, experience choking or shortness of breath at night, or feel like food is getting stuck in your throat.
"Causes of Goiter. In areas outside the U.S., particularly parts of Asia and
Africa, iodine deficiency is a key cause of goiter. But in the U.S. and many
other industrialized nations, the use of iodized salt and processed foods has
eliminated that problem for all but about 10-20% of the population. In the U.S.,
goiter is more commonly caused by autoimmune thyroid problems that cause an
inflammatory reaction in the thyroid. "Doctors will typically treat a smaller goiter with thyroid hormone replacement drugs. This can slow down or stop the growth of the goiter, but doesn't typically shrink the goiter. If the goiter continues to grow while on thyroid hormone, or symptoms continue, or the goiter is cosmetically unsightly, most doctors will recommend surgery. If the goiter contains any suspicious nodules, that may also be reason for surgery."
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