Goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below the Adam's apple.
Symptoms are usually:
A swelling visible at the base of the neck, which is especially noticeable during shaving or make-up, A feeling that the throat
is tightened, Cough, Hoarseness, Difficulty in swallowing, Shortness of breath.
The thyroid gland produces two main hormones that help regulate metabolism; thyroxine (T-4) and
triiodothyronine (T-3). If the production of thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland decreases, the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) of the pituitary gland in the brain gradually increases and this hormone enlarges the thyroid gland, resulting in goiter.
A number of factors also increase the size of the thyroid gland. may cause growth. These are:
Iodine deficiency, Graves' disease, Hashimoto's disease, Multinodular goiter, Solitary thyroid
Nodules, Thyroid cancer, Pregnancy, Infection
Goiter can be seen in anyone. It may be congenital or may appear later and is more common after the age of 40
. Risk factors include;
Iodine deficiency, Being female, Age, Family history, Pregnancy and menopause, Some medications and
Exposure to radiation.
Minor While goiters do not cause aesthetic and physical problems, large goiters may cause difficulty breathing,
difficulty swallowing, hoarseness and cough.
The doctor can feel the enlarged thyroid gland during the neck examination, and some diagnostic tests may also be performed. may be required.
Treatment of goiter varies depending on the size of the goiter, its signs and symptoms, and the underlying causes
. The following treatment options may be recommended by your doctor:
- Observation: If the goiter is small, does not cause any problems and functions normally, your doctor may not recommend any intervention or medication. Instead, he may only recommend follow-up.
- Medication: In the presence of hypothyroidism, Levothyroxine and thyroid hormone replacement can be performed.
For thyroid gland inflammation, your doctor may recommend Aspirin or corticosteroid medication. In case of hyperthyroidism
, medications may be required to return the hormone level to normal.
- Surgery: Causes shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing. If there is a large goiter that causes thyroid gland or nodular goiter that causes hyperthyroidism, some or all of the thyroid gland can be removed by surgery. In addition, the treatment of thyroid cancer is strictly surgical.
Although it varies depending on the amount of thyroid gland removed by surgery, synthetic thyroid hormone may need to be used after the surgery.
- Radioactive Iodine: In some cases, radioactive iodine
treatment may be used for an overactive thyroid gland enlargement. Radioactive iodine is taken orally, reaches the thyroid gland through the bloodstream
and destroys thyroid cells. After the procedure, Levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone, is usually required for life.
Read: 0
