A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. A normal gland weighing ~1/2 oz can increase up to ~2 pounds. The whole gland can enlarge (called diffuse goiter) or there can be one or more small nodules. Enlargement is not due to physical inflammation, but is a thick tissue growth caused by the presence of chronic or agressive thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); this may occur for a variety of reasons, including, for example, iodine deficiency, pregnancy, inflammatory thyroid damage or having diagnosed (or undiagnosed) Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Most nodules (lumps) are cysts filled with fluid, called cystic nodules); nodules can also contain the stored form of thyroid hormones, collectively called colloid; solid nodules have minimal fluid or colloid.
A goiter can be associated with:
• Hyperthroidism / An overactive thyroid / Excessive thyroid hormones
• Hypothroidism /An underactive thyroid / Insufficient thyroid hormones
• Normal thyroid hormone levels
• Symmetrical or Nodules or enlargement are in just one part of the gland
• Diffuse (spread out, generalized, smooth, as in Grave's disease) or solitary (if only a small area is enlarged; commonly benign cysts, nodules)
• Nodules are benign or malignant (cells in nodule have the ability to spread outside the thyroid gland)
• Diffuse (spread out) or Nodular (i.e. lumps; 1 = solitary thyroid nodule / more than 1 = multinodular goiter)
• Thyroid hormone production is normal
• Non-cancerous
• Not associated with Hyperthroidism, Hypothroidism, or inflammation
• Diffuse Toxic Goiter (a.k.a. Graves Disease or exophthalmic goiter) (involves autoimmune-antibodies / auto-antibodies) / Toxic Nodular Goiter (not an autoimmune disease);
• Excessive secretion of thyroid hormones;
• Causes signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism;
• Inability to make sufficient hormones;
• Associated with Hypothroidism
A goiter is seen as a swelling at the front base of the neck
The enlarged thryroid compresses the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus. This can lead to such symptoms as:
• Coughing;
• Waking up with the feeling of being unable to breathe;
• Sensation of food stuck in upper throat
A goiter could occur as a result of:
• Inadequate iodide levels. This being the most common cause of goiter worldwide, particularly prevalent in areas of iodine-deficient soil; referred to as ENDEMIC goiter.
• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. An autoimmune thyroiditis; anti-thyroid antibodies attack thyroid causing damage/inflammation leading to hypothyroidism
• Ord's thyroiditis. Seen particularly in Europe; an atrophic form of autoimmune thyroiditis;
• Increase in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This is in response to a problem with usual/normal thyroid hormone production;
• Malfunctioning/damaged/ inflamed thyroid. Damage possibly results from insufficient iodine intake;
• Excessive presence of goitrogens. These can block thyroid access to iodine needed for TH production and create unused thyroglobulin (Tg);
• Hypothyroidism. Since low hormone levels stimulate TH production;
• Some drugs. Lithium inhibits release of TH; amiodarone may induce inflammatory damage to thyroid;
• Thyroid Cancers / Benign tumors (nodules). May cause a multinodular goiter (solid or fluid-filled lumps, called nodules);
• Pregnancy. The pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) may cause slight thyroid enlargement;
• Graves Disease / Diffuse Toxic goiter. Autoimmune disease stimulates thyroid to be overactive;
• Too much iodine ???; Currently researching this.
Anyone from birth onwards can have goiters. Some common risk factors are:
• A lack of iodine
• Being female / Pregnancy / Menopause
• Age > 40
• Family history of autoimmune disease
• Radiation exposure. Medical radiation to neck/chest area or general exposure from nuclear sources
• Certain medications. The heart drug amiodarone (e.g. Pacerone, Cordarone), lithium (e.g. Lithobid)
Marine D, Kimball BS. (1917) The prevention of simple goiter in man. J Lab Clin Med; 3:40-48.
Marine D. (1923) Prevention and treatment of simple goiter. Atl Med J; 26:437-442.