Goiter is the unusual growth of the thyroids that is a gland involves in the continuous release of thyroid hormone. It requires iodine for its proper functioning. Any problem causing disruption to the right path of iodine delivery to thyroids will cause goiter.
The thyroid is a butterfly-like gland that is present in your neck just following Adam’s apple. In goiter, the thyroid becomes enlarger due to irregular growth of cells in the form of lumps. Any of the problems that cause enlargement of the thyroid will be known as goiter.
The well-known reason for this problem is less or no supply of iodine to thyroids which may be due to many factors such as poor diet or an unhealthy lifestyle or any medicinal complication.
The treatment of this problem depends upon the diagnosis. An earlier diagnosis of course after consulting a doctor earlier will reduce the chances of surgery as it can be controlled at an early stage. Even the starter stage is almost negligible.
This article covers almost everything about goiter and how you can get rid of this problem if you get an earlier or late-stage diagnosis.
What are the Symptoms of Goiter?
The symptoms are almost not visible at an earlier stage only if you feel any problem with shortness of breath or feeling an enlargement of the thyroid consult a endocrinologist doctor immediately. Although the observed symptoms are slighter difference in both cases of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism:
Hypothyroidism
- Dryness of skin
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Memory problems
- Constipation
- An urge to sleep more
Hyperthyroidism
- The sudden rise of the heartbeat
- Heat burns
- Difficulty in sleeping
- More appetite
- Alternations in the menstrual cycle
- High blood pressure levels
- Sudden bowel moments
- Feeling nervous
- Excess sweating
- Weight loss
- Tremors
Role of Thyroid Glands
Thyroid glands have a major role in secreting two important hormones known as thyroxine (T-4) along with triiodothyronine (T-3). They play a vital role in:
- Heart rate maintenance
- Regulation of body temperature
- Childhood growth
- Interaction of body with other hormones
- Blood pressure regulation
- Conversion of food into energy
What are the Causes of Goiter?
Although the major problem of suffering from goiter for a patient is iodine deficiency that play role in the production of vital thyroid hormone. It is directly released after an order from pituitary glands to thyroid glands.
This may normally occur if you use fewer amounts of table salt. The other problems that may cause goiter are:
- Hashimoto’s disease: In this, the body cells start autophagy and become dangerous to own healthy body cells. It leads to hypothyroidism.
- Graves’ disease: It is another autoimmune problem but it leads to hyperthyroidism and mainly affects proteins in your body.
- Thyroid nodules: It is the appearance of lump-like projection within your thyroids. It may be inherited by a person through their parents.
- Thyroid cancer: It is a major problem in which there occurs cancer in your thyroids.
- Pregnancy: Various hormone imbalance occurs during pregnancy that may cause goiter
- Inflammation: Thyroid inflammation is also a common problem that is due to bacteria, viruses, or maybe fungi and it causes autophagy.
What are the Risk Factors of Having Goiter?
Many of the factors are there that can cause goiter in your normal living. It includes:
- Lack of iodine in daily diet
- Having family history
- Age factor
- A pregnant woman or delayed menstruation
- Being a female you are more vulnerable
- Ant medical history
- Exposure to radiations
What are the Complications of Goiter?
There are no direct complications caused by goiter but your appearance neck really makes your social life difficult and makes shake your confidence.
Goiter may contribute to any alternations in your voice box that makes it troublesome for some people to interact correctly.
It may lead to the development of some other medical problems.
How You Can Diagnose Goiter?
When you will visit your doctor. They may suggest following exams and tests for correct diagnosis.
- Physical exam
- Hormone test
- Antibody test
- Ultrasound of the thyroid:
- Thyroid scan:
- CT scan
- MRI
What is the Treatment of Goiter?
The main treatment of goiter can be started after correct diagnosis and looking after the signs and symptoms also the causes of certain conditions. There are stages of goiter treatment which include:
- No Treatment Stage: If the goiter is small and just at the initial stage there is no need for any medication or treatment with surgery as by natural phenomenon it can be restricted to its place.
- Medication Stage: It is the stage when you have to take certain medicines as prescribed by your doctor for undergoing the right treatment that can prevent your surgery. Levothyroxine, methimazole, corticosteroid medicines.
- Radioactive Treatment Stage: It is a radioactive treatment of goiter orally.
- Surgery: The last stage is the use of surgery operations that aims to reduce the size of the thyroid.
FAQs
1. What is the main cause of goiter?
The major cause of goiter all around the globe is none less than iodine deficiency. In case, you are having too low in your diet with iodine your thyroid may get oblong and larger and will try to capture all the iodine from the body as storage. This has aimed to prepare the desired amount of thyroid hormone in need.
2. How do you get rid of a goiter?
The best possible way to get rid of this pathetic problem is surgery. During surgery, your doctor will aim at removing the part of the thyroid that is creating a hindrance on the way to proper swallowing and breathing.
3. Do goiters go away on their own?
The simpler type of goiter of course disappears on its own within the shorter or longer duration of time. But this may lead you to a problem known as hypothyroidism in which your thyroid glands are unable to release the required amount of thyroid hormone. Also, in some cases, it may get toxic and lethal. Therefore, the best thing is surgery.
