GOITER AND YOU

A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that causes swelling on the neck. The thyroid gland is situated in front of the windpipe and is responsible for producing and secreting hormones that regulate growth and metabolism.

The extent or degree of swelling and the severity of symptoms produced by the goiter usually depends on the individual.

Key points about goiter includes:

·    Goiter describes a condition where the thyroid gland, located in the neck, becomes enlarged.

·    Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of goiter.

·    In developed countries, goiter is usually caused by an autoimmune disease.

·    Goiter is diagnosed by physical examination, but thyroid function blood tests and scans may be used.

·    Treatment is not necessary unless the goiter is large and causes symptoms (there are often no symptoms).

CAUSES

IODINE: Iodine deficiency is the major cause of goiter worldwide, but this is rarely a cause in more economically developed countries where iodine is routinely added to salt.

As iodine is less commonly found in plants, vegan diets may lack sufficient iodine; this is less of a problem for vegans who live in countries such as the United States that add iodine to salt.

Dietary iodine is found in:

·       seafood

·       plant food grown in iodine-rich soil

·       cow's milk

The thyroid gland needs iodine to manufacture thyroid hormones, which regulate the body's rate of metabolism.

HYPERTHYROIDISM

An overactive thyroid gland is termed Hyperthyroidism. This is another cause of goiter. This usually happens as a result of Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder where the body's immunity turns on itself and attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to swell.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

This is the main cause of goiter in developed countries. Women over age 40 are at greater risk of goiter, same as people with a family history of the condition.

OTHER CAUSES

·       nodules - benign lumps

·       smoking - thiocyanate in tobacco smoke interferes with iodine absorption

·       hormonal changes - pregnancy, puberty, and menopause can affect thyroid function

·       thyroiditis - inflammation caused by infection, for example

·       lithium - a psychiatric drug that can interfere with thyroid function

·       overconsumption of iodine - too much iodine can cause a goiter

·       radiation therapy - particularly to the neck

TREATMENT

Most simple goiters are preventable through adequate intake of iodine, which is added to table salt in many countries.

Active treatment of goiter is reserved for cases that cause symptoms - otherwise, no action is taken, and some simple goiters resolve on their own. If the goiter is small and thyroid function is normal, treatment is not usually offered.

SURGERY

Surgery to reduce the size of the swelling is reserved for cases where the goiter is causing troublesome symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing.

SYMPTOMS

Most goiters don’t show symptoms. The following are the most common symptoms that are seen with goiter:

·       throat symptoms of tightness, cough, and hoarseness

·       trouble swallowing

·       in severe cases, difficulty breathing (possibly with a high-pitch sound)