What is simple goiter?
A simple goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. Simple goiter is not painful, but depending on its size it can cause coughing and difficulty swallowing and breathing.
What are its symptoms?
Not all cases of simple goiter present signs and symptoms, but some of the most common are:
- Swelling at the base of the neck.
- Cough accompanied by hoarseness.
- Difficulty swallowing and breathing.
What medical tests are performed for diagnosis?
An enlargement of the thyroid gland can be detected by simply palpating the neck. However, for a more complete diagnosis, the following tests are used:
- Blood tests.
- Analysis of antibodies.
- Ultrasound.
- Thyroid scan.
- Biopsy.
Types of goiter
According to the characteristics of goiter can be classified as:
- Diffuse goiter, characterized by a regular enlargement of the gland.
- Nodular goiter or multinodular goiter, which consists of the development of one or several nodules due to an increase in the size of the thyroid.
Besides, goiter may be accompanied by hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, associated with symptoms such as nervousness, weight loss, intolerance to cold, dry skin, among others.
What are the causes?
The main cause of its appearance responds to the lack of iodine in the diet, since it is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. However, there are other factors that can also cause the growth of the gland, such as:
- Graves’ disease.
- Multinodular goiter.
- Solitary thyroid nodules.
- Thyroid cancer.
- Pregnancy.
- Inflammation.
- Infection.
- autoimmune problem.
The body’s own immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
Risk factors
Simple goiter can appear at any time throughout life, but there are some risk factors that influence its appearance.
Some of these are:
- Age. It usually affects after the age of 40.
- Sex. Women are the most vulnerable group.
- Family history.
- Thyroid-related problems are more frequent during pregnancy and menopause.
- Exposure to radiation.
- Ingestion of certain medications.
Treatment for simple goiter
Treatment will depend on the size of the goiter, its symptoms and cause. In cases of small goiters, treatment is not usually necessary, since they disappear after some time.
Surgery is only used in cases of multiple nodules that increase in size and are suspected to be malignant. The entire thyroid gland or part of it is removed when the goiter is large and causes discomfort when breathing or swallowing.
In some cases radioactive iodine is used to treat the overactive thyroid gland.
For cases of goiter with hypothyroidism the treatment is usually pharmacological to reduce the size. For those with hyperthyroidism, it can be surgically removed, treated with radioactive iodine, or treated with drugs.
Can it be avoided?
The main cause of goiter is the lack of iodine, so it is important to take care of your diet. It is recommended to follow a diet that includes sufficient amounts of iodine through seafood, fruits and vegetables.
Which specialist treats it?
The endocrinologist will be the specialist in charge of the diagnosis and treatment of simple goiter, since he/she is in charge of the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the endocrine system.