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Simple goiter: causes, symptoms and treatment

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

The name of goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid, an endocrine gland located above the clavicle, just below the walnut. Its task is to store and release thyroid hormones, responsible for regulating our body’s metabolism, which gives them an important role.

When this gland increases in size without being accompanied by other more severe problems such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or cancer, it undergoes a non-toxic inflammatory process called a simple goiter. In this FastlyHealarticle, you will find the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this condition.

Causes of simple goiter

The simple goiter can occur for many reasons since it does not exist for a specific pattern. Generally, the cause is unknown. However, this condition is often attributed to a lack of iodine in the diet. When this happens, the thyroid gland cannot generate enough thyroid hormone that the body needs, compensating for it by increasing its size.

In some geographical regions of the world, especially far from the sea coast, the iodine present in the water and the soil is deficient, so their diet lacks this mineral. In these areas, the percentage of goiter in the population is higher than in the rest of the world. For this reason, iodized products are marketed that provide sufficient iodine to the diet.

Other factors that can influence the appearance of goiter are:

  • We have a family history of goiter.
  • To be a woman.
  • Be over 40 years of age.
  • Take certain drugs such as lithium or aminoglutethimide.
  • The intake of substances that favor its appearance includes tobacco, excess iodine, soybean, sunflower, walnut, and peanut oils.

Simple goiter symptoms

The most visible symptom of a simple goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. This growth can range from a small nodule to a large, bothersome lump on the neck.

Generally, there are usually no more symptoms than this, but an enlarged thyroid can sometimes cause pressure on the trachea and esophagus that causes:

  • You are breathing difficulties, especially when lying on your back.
  • Cough and hoarseness
  • Difficulty swallowing food, excellent food.

When the goiter is huge, swelling of the neck veins and slight dizziness may occur when raising the arms above the head. For this reason, in the diagnosis, the doctor may ask you to perform this movement, in addition to feeling the neck. On the other hand, you can turn to blood tests to measure thyroid activity and thyroid ultrasounds to look for abnormal areas in the gland.

Simple goiter treatment

It will only be necessary to treat the goiter if it produces symptoms. Some of the measures that can be taken are the following:

  • If it is due to an iodine deficiency, small doses of Lugol’s iodine or potassium iodide will be given to increase the levels in the body.
  • You may resort to radioactive iodine to shrink the gland, mainly if it produces excessive thyroid hormone.
  • If hypothyroidism exists, it will need to be treated with thyroid hormone supplements in pills.
  • There is also the possibility of performing thyroidectomy surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid.

Simple goiter may disappear spontaneously or continue to increase in size. If the latter occurs, it could lead to hypothyroidism or even become toxic, producing too much thyroid hormone and causing hyperthyroidism. At FastlyHealwe advise you not to hesitate to visit your doctor if you experience noticeable swelling in the front of your neck.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Simple goiter: causes, symptoms, and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Endocrine System category.

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