Is thyroid enlargement a disease?

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Is thyroid enlargement a disease?

Through the hormones thyroid gland produces, the thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in body. Thyroid disorders can range from thyroid enlargement (goiter) to life-threatening cancer. Goiter is a non-cancerous thyroid gland enlargement. This disorder can affect anyone at any age, however, goiters are more common after the age of 40 and in women, who are more likely to have thyroid disorders.

Causes of goiter (thyroid enlargement)

Iodine deficiency: The most common cause of goiters worldwide is a lack of iodine in the diet. Iodine, which is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, is found primarily in seawater and in the soil in coastal areas. The initial iodine deficiency may be made even worse by a diet high in hormone-inhibiting foods, such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
Graves’ disease. A goiter (thyroid enlargement) can sometimes occur when your thyroid is hyperthyroidism. In Graves’ disease, antibodies produced by your immune system mistakenly attack your thyroid gland, causing it to produce excess thyroxine. This overstimulation causes the thyroid to swell.
Hashimoto’s disease. A goiter can also result from an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Like Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder. But instead of causing your thyroid to produce too much hormone, Hashimoto’s damages your thyroid so that it produces too little. Sensing a low hormone level, your pituitary gland produces more TSH to stimulate the thyroid, which then causes the gland to enlarge.

Symptoms of thyroid enlargement

A visible swelling at the base of your neck
A tight feeling in your throat
Coughing
Hoarseness
Difficulty swallowing and breathing
Hoarseness of voice

Diagnose

Your doctor will feel your neck area and have you swallow during a routine physical exam. Blood tests will reveal the levels of thyroid hormone, TSH, and antibodies in your bloodstream. An ultrasound of the thyroid can check for swelling or nodules.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the size of the goiter, your symptoms and the underlying cause. You can take small doses of iodine if goiter is the result of iodine deficiency. Radioactive iodine can shrink the thyroid gland. Surgery will remove all or part of the gland. Although goiters aren’t usually a cause for concern, they can cause serious complications if they’re left untreated. These complications can include difficulty breathing and swallowing, heart problems and brittle bones.