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Goitre - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition

Goitre is also called a bronchocele. It is a swelling in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland. Goitre can mean that all the thyroid gland is swollen or enlarged, or one or more swellings or lumps develop in part or parts of the thyroid.

There are different types of goiter :-

1.Diffuse smooth goiter
2.Nodular goiters
3.Goitres and thyroid function

Causes

One cause of goitre is iodine deficiency. The thyroid gland manufactures protein hormones, for which it needs iodine. If the diet doesn't contain enough iodine, the gland goes on trying to produce the hormones and increases its activity. Other causes are :-

Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Graves-Basedow disease
Sub-acute thyroiditis, which is probably a virus infection.
Dyshormonogenesis, a genetic enzyme deficiency that interferes with normal thyroid hormone synthesis.
Benign or malignant tumours of the thyroid gland.
Juvenile goitre due to congenital hypothyroidism
Neoplasm of the thyroid
Thyroiditis (acute, chronic)
Side-effects of pharmacological therapy

Symptoms

In many cases there are no symptoms apart from the appearance of a swelling in the neck. The size of a goitre can range from very small and barely noticeable to very large. Most goitres are painless. An inflamed thyroid (thyroiditis) can be painful. If your thyroid makes too much or too little thyroxine, this can cause a range of symptoms. Most common signs and symptoms of goitre are :-

Depression and problems with memory and concentration may also occur.
Constipation.
Sweaty moist palms.
Rapid Heartbeat.
Increased Appetite.
Poor Memory and Concentration.
Deteriorating or slowing growth rate.
Brittle Hair.
The suffering person may have a croaky or hoarse voice.
Slow Reflexes.
Delayed as well as precocious sexual development

Treatment

Goitre is nearly cured in six months to one year after accurate diagnosis. Sometimes surgery or radioactive iodine therapy is required.
Treatment depends on the cause, the size of the goitre, and whether it is causing symptoms. For example:
If you have a small goitre that is not due to a cancerous nodule, and your thyroid is making the correct amount of thyroxine and T3, then you may not need any treatment.
You will need treatment if you make too much or too little thyroxine or T3.
An operation to remove some or the entire thyroid may be an option in some cases.
If you have cancer of the thyroid, you will probably need surgery.
Iodine replacement, if the goitre is due to lack of iodine in the diet.