Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
About Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
An enlargement of the thyroid gland. This gland is located in the neck and produces a lump in the middle of the neck near the `Adam's apple`. This disorder occurs much more frequently in women than in men. The most common causes of a goiter are: iodine deficiency (especially in the developing world), autoimmune diseases (such as Graves' Disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and multiple thyroid nodules develop (multinodular goiter). If thyroid hormone levels in the blood are normal, people with a goiter will often have no symptoms . However, if the thyroid becomes too large it can push on the wind pipe and cause breathing problems.Symptoms
Swelling in neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, cough.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Other tests may include: thyroid blood tests, thyroid ultrasound , a thyroid scan and/or a CT scan.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Ultrasound.
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
Treatment is determined by the cause of the goiter and ranges from thyroid hormone replacement, dietary changes, anti-thyroid medications, surgical removal, and/or ablation with radioactive treatment.Medical specialties
Internal Medicine · Family Practice · Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Goiter (enlarged thyroid).