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  1. Goiter - Overview

    Verified Expert
    An abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland that causes coughing, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing.
    Condition Highlight
    Urgent medical attention is usually recommended by healthcare providers
    Condition Highlight
    Can be dangerous or life threatening if untreated
    How common is condition?
    Common (More than 200,000 cases per year in US)
    Is condition treatable?
    Treatable by a medical professional
    Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
    Often requires lab test or imaging
    Time taken for recovery
    Can last several months or years
    Condition Highlight
    More common in females
    Condition Highlight
    Family history may increase likelihood
    See more

    Causes

    Verified Expert

    • Goiter can be caused due to several factors and the symptoms presented vary depending on the cause. Further, some risk factors could increase the chances of occurrence.
    • Iodine deficiency
    • Autoimmune deficiency- such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Hypothyroidism
    • Thyroid Cancer
    • Inflammation, thyroiditis
    • The risk factors include:
    • Lack of dietary Iodine
    • Being female
    • Age > 40 years
    • Family/Personal medical history
    • Pregnancy & menopause
    • Certain medications

    See more

    Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms.

    Goiter can often be asymptomatic, especially in mild cases. Symptoms, when present, depend on the underlying cause. However, there are some common symptoms

    • Visible swelling or enlargement at the base of neck
    • A tight or suffocating feeling in throat
    • Coughing
    • Hoarseness
    • Difficulty while swallowing
    • Difficulty in breathing (in severe cases)

    If the cause is hyperthyroidism, the following symptoms are seen

    • Nervousness
    • Palpitations
    • Hyperactivity
    • Increased sweating
    • Heat hypersensitivity
    • Increased appetite
    • Weight loss
    • Fatigue
    • Hair loss

    If the cause is hypothyroidism, these symptoms are seen

    • Cold intolerance
    • Forgetfulness
    • Personality changes
    • Hair loss
    • Weight gain

    See more
    How big is a normal thyroid gland if not iodine deficiency?
    In healthy adults without iodine deficiency, a normal thyroid gland is approximately 4 to 4.8 x 1 to 1.8 x 0.8 to 1.6 cm in size, with a mean sonographic volume of 7 to 10 mL and weight of 10 to 20 grams [1,2].
    uptodate.com

    Treatment

    Verified Expert

    Treatment mainly depends upon the degree of swelling and symptoms. If there is not much swelling, the doctor may go for a wait and see approach called “watchful waiting”.

    Medication

    Anti-inflammatory drugs: To reduce inflammation, if it is the cause.

    Aspirin . Prednisone

    Hormone replacement: Hormone replacement (if the cause is hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism).

    Levothyroxine . Propylthiouracil

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    goiter_en
    Microsoft Start Health

    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    Diagnosis involves physical examination and blood tests.

    Common tests & procedures

    Physical examination: Physical examination of swelling.

    Thyroid function tests (TFTs): A blood test to check the secretion level of thyroid hormones.

    Antibody test: To check abnormal production of antibodies.

    Ultrasound: To identify the size of the thyroid gland and to check for any abnormal growths.

    Thyroid biopsy: Sample tissue from the thyroid is collected for further analysis.

    See more
    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. | Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Overview
    Causes
    Symptoms
    How big is a normal thyroid gland if not iodine deficiency?
    Treatment
    Health guide
    Diagnosis
     
  1. The normal dimensions of an adult thyroid are 40–60 mm longitudinal and 13–18 mm in AP diameter1. A practical measurement of the thyroid >2 cm in the AP or transverse dimensions or >5 in the longitudinal measurement is considered be enlarged1. The characteristic of the thyroid enlargement may be diffuse or nodular1. Finding a major growth on your thyroid is likely not a serious problem2. Often, it's a sign of an easily treatable condition, such as an iodine deficiency2.
    Learn more:
    The normal dimensions of an adult thyroid are 40–60 mm longitudinal and 13–18 mm in AP diameter. A practical measurement of the thyroid >2 cm in the AP or transverse dimensions or >5 in the longitudinal measurement is considered be enlarged. The characteristic of the thyroid enlargement may be diffuse or nodular.

    Diffuse Thyroid Disease (DTD) and Thyroi…

    radiologykey.com/diffuse-thyroid-disease-dtd-and-t…
    You can have serious thyroid disease and have a completely normal neck check. On the other hand, finding a major growth on your thyroid is likely not a serious problem; often, it's a sign of an easily treatable condition, such as an iodine deficiency.

    Thyroid Swallowing Test: Normal vs. Enla…

    www.verywellhealth.com/thyroid-disease-detection …
  2. People also ask
    How do I know if my thyroid is enlarged?
    Doing an at-home thyroid neck check can help you find lumps or an enlarged thyroid gland. All you need to do a thyroid self-check is a mirror and a glass of water. You take a sip of water and watch your neck as you swallow. If you notice any areas that look or feel bigger or bumpier than normal, let your provider know.

    Thyroid Swallowing Test: Normal vs. Enlarged Thyroid - Verywell Health

    verywellhealth.com
    How serious is it if one side of the thyroid is enlarged?

    Dr. Sanju Sarangan

    Doctor of Medicine (MBBS) · 2 years of exp

    One-sided thyroid enlargement maybe either be due to goiter or sometimes even due to tumors/carcinoma. The severity of the disease depends on the underlying medical condition. Goiter's are usually not dangerous, but tumors might be. Proper history taking, blood investigations, thyroid profile, and biopsy are required to help diagnose and determine if they are serious or not.
    Q&A: Thyroid
    bing.com
    How big is a normal thyroid gland if not iodine deficiency?
    In healthy adults without iodine deficiency, a normal thyroid gland is approximately 4 to 4.8 x 1 to 1.8 x 0.8 to 1.6 cm in size, with a mean sonographic volume of 7 to 10 mL and weight of 10 to 20 grams [1,2].

    Clinical presentation and evaluation of goiter in adults

    uptodate.com
    Can a thyroid goiter get bigger?
    While the goiter may get smaller, sometimes there is too much scar tissue in the gland to allow it to get much smaller. However, thyroid hormone treatment will usually prevent it from getting any larger. Although appropriate in some individuals, surgery is usually not routine treatment of thyroiditis.

    Goiter - American Thyroid Association

    thyroid.org
    What is the meaning of an enlarged thyroid?

    Dr. Anukriti Pant

    Doctor of Medicine (MBBS) · 1.5 years of exp

    Goiter is a medical condition where the thyroid gland gets enlarged. Entire thyroid can grow larger or it can develop one or more small lumps. The body needs iodine to produce thyroid hormone. If you are deficient of iodine in your diet, the thyroid gets larger to try and capture all the iodine it can to fulfill the deficiency. Therefore, a goiter can be a sign that the thyroid is not able to make enough thyroid hormone.
    Q&A: Thyroid
    bing.com
    What are the normal thyroid numbers?

    Dr. Mayank Saxena

    Doctor of Medicine (MBBS) · 1 years of exp

    The normal thyroid numbers vary depending on the laboratory that performs the test and the age and sex of the individual. However, the following are generally considered to be the normal ranges for thyroid tests Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): 0. 4 to 4. 0 mIU/L, Free T4: 0. 7 to 1. 9 ng/dL, Free T3: 1. 2 to 2. 8 pg/mL.
    Q&A: Thyroid
    bing.com
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  3. Cleveland Clinic
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12625

    Goiter: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

  4. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/...

    Goiter - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

  5. Healthgrades
    https://www.healthgrades.com/right-ca…

    Enlarged Thyroid: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of …

    Apr 18, 2023 · Thyromegaly is when your thyroid gland, at the base of the neck, is inflamed and enlarged. You may know it as a goiter. Causes of an enlarged thyroid include autoimmune conditions, dietary insufficiencies, nodules, and …

  6. The Merck Manuals
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/...

    Simple Nontoxic Goiter - Simple Nontoxic Goiter - The Merck …

  7. American Thyroid Association
    https://www.thyroid.org/goiter

    Goiter - American Thyroid Association

  8. Stanford Medicine 25
    https://stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu/…

    Thyroid Exam - Stanford Medicine 25

    The thyroid exam is important as it’s often the first step towards diagnosing thyroid diseases such as Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and multinodular goiters. Both inspection and palpation are important aspects of …

  9. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/...

    Hyperthyroidism - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

  10. Verywell Health
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/thyroid …

    Thyroid Disease: Early Signs, Symptoms, Types, …

    Apr 12, 2023 · Outlook. Next in Thyroid Disease Guide. Thyroid Disease Symptoms. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the base of the neck. It is part of the endocrine system and releases hormones …

  11. UpToDate
    https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical...

    Clinical presentation and evaluation of goiter in adults