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A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is not cancer.
See also: Toxic nodular goiter
There are different kinds of goiters.
Iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormone.
In most cases of simple goiter the cause is unknown. Sometimes, certain medications such as lithium or aminoglutethimide can cause a simple goiter.
Simple goiters are also more common in:
The main symptom is a swollen thyroid gland. The size may range from a single small nodule to a large neck lump.
Some people with a simple goiter may have symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland.
Rarely, the swollen thyroid can put pressure on the windpipe and food pipe (esophagus), which can lead to:
The doctor will feel your neck as you swallow. The doctor may be able to feel swelling in the area.
With very large goiters, there may be swelling in the neck vein, and you may feel dizzy when you raise your arms above your head.
You may have the following blood tests to measure thyroid function:
Tests to look for abnormal, and possibly cancerous areas in the thyroid gland include:
If nodules are found on an ultrasound, a biopsy should be done to check for thyroid cancer.
A goiter only needs to be treated if it is causing symptoms.
Treatments for an enlarged thyroid include:
A simple goiter may disappear on its own, or may become larger. Over time, the thyroid gland may stop making enough thyroid hormone. This condition is called hypothyroidism.
Less commonly, a goiter may become toxic and produce thyroid hormone on its own. This can cause high levels of thyroid hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism.
Call your health care provider if you experience any swelling in the front of your neck or any other symptoms of goiter.
The use of iodized table salt prevents most simple goiters.
Kim M, Ladenson P. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Med icine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2011:chap 233.
Schlumberger MJ, Filetti S, Hay ID. Nontoxic diffuse and nodular goiter and thyroid neoplasia. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology . 12th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2011:chap 14.