Goiters can occur when the thyroid gland produces either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough (hypothyroidism). Much more rarely, the problem may arise when the pituitary gland stimulates thyroid growth to boost production of the hormone. Enlargement could also occur with normal production of thyroid hormone, such as a nontoxic multinodular gland.

Another type of thyroid growth, called a sporadic goiter, can form if your diet includes too many goiter-promoting foods, such as soybeans, rutabagas, cabbage, peaches, peanuts, and spinach. Keep in mind you would have to eat huge amounts of these foods to cause a goiter.

These foods can suppress the manufacture of thyroid hormone by interfering with your thyroid's ability to process iodide. Historically, the most common cause used to be a lack of iodide in the diet, however in the 1920s iodized salt was introduced in the U.S. now making this a rare cause of goiters. Iodine is added to other foods as well.

How this works.

A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that causes the neck to swell. It is one of the most common thyroid disorders. Goiters are often harmless but symptoms can occur, and treatment may be required depending on the size and type of goiter. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.

Fast facts on goiter
Here are some key points about goiter. More detail and supporting information is in the body of this article. Goiter describes a condition where the thyroid gland, located in the neck, becomes enlarged. Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. In developed countries, goiter is usually caused by an autoimmune disease. Goiter is usually diagnosed by physical examination, but thyroid function blood tests and scans may be used. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Treatment is not necessary unless the goiter is large and causes symptoms.

What is goiter?
The thyroid gland. An underactive gland can cause weight gain. A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
The thyroid gland is situated in front of the windpipe and is responsible for producing and secreting hormones that regulate growth and metabolism. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Most cases are categorized as 'simple' goiters that do not involve inflammation or any detriment to thyroid function, produce no symptoms, and often have no obvious cause. And You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.

Some people experience a small amount of swelling. Others can have considerable swelling that constricts the trachea and causes breathing problems.
Symptoms
The degree of swelling and the severity of symptoms produced by the goiter depends on the individual. Most goiters produce no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the following are most common:
throat symptoms of tightness, cough, and hoarseness
trouble swallowing
In severe cases, difficulty breathing, possibly with a high-pitch sound Other symptoms may be present because of the underlying cause of the goiter, but they are not because of the goiter itself. For example, an overactive thyroid can cause symptoms such as:
nervousness
palpitations
hyperactivity
increased sweating
heat hypersensitivity
fatigue
increased appetite
hair loss
weight loss

In cases where goiter is a result of hypothyroidism, the underactive thyroid can cause symptoms such as:
cold intolerance
constipation
forgetfulness
personality changes
hair loss
weight gain

Aside from the swelling itself, many people with goiter present no symptoms or signs at all. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Causes
Goiter can be caused by several different conditions:Iodine deficiency
Deficiency of iodine - found in seafood - is a major cause of goiter.
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. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. 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 is grown in iodine-rich soil
cow's milk

In some parts of the world, the prevalence of goiters can be as high as 80 percent, such as in the remote mountainous regions of southeast Asia, Latin America, and central Africa. In these places, the daily intake of iodine can fall below 25 micrograms (mcg) per day, and children are often born with hypothyroidism.
The thyroid gland needs iodine to manufacture thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism. Autoimmune disease
The main cause of goiter in developed countries is an autoimmune disease. Women over the age of 40 are at greater risk of goiter, as are people with a family history of the condition. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Hypothyroidism is the result of an underactive thyroid gland, and this causes goiter. Because the gland produces too little thyroid hormone, it is stimulated to produce more, leading to the swelling. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
This usually results from Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its tissue and causes inflammation of the thyroid gland. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland, is another cause of goiter. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Too much thyroid hormone is produced. 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.

Other causes
Less common causes of goiter include the following:
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, can lead to goiter.
Lithium: This psychiatric drug can interfere with thyroid function.
Overconsumption of iodine: Too much iodine can cause a goiter.
Radiation therapy: This can trigger a swollen thyroid, particularly when administered to the neck.
Treatment
Most simple goiters are preventable through adequate intake of iodine, which is added to table salt in many countries. A range of iodine supplements is available for purchase online. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Active treatment of goiter is reserved for cases that cause symptoms. If the goiter is small and thyroid function is normal, treatment is not usually offered.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of goiter is possible with a physical examination of the neck, palpating for the swelling. The doctor may ask the patient to swallow while feeling for the goiter. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Ultrasound scans may be used to visualize the thyroid gland.
Once a goiter is diagnosed, the doctor may wish to uncover any underlying problems with thyroid function, for example, because of hyper- or hypothyroidism. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Thyroid function tests are blood tests that measure levels of TSH and T4. A carefully controlled feedback mechanism means that TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce more thyroxine, while T4 tells the thyroid to stop producing as much thyroxine. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
With an overactive thyroid, TSH levels are low or non-existent, and T4 levels are high. In people with an underactive thyroid, the reverse is true. TSH levels are high and T4 levels are low. Another hormone, triiodothyronine, is measured in some cases of an overactive gland, such as suspected Graves' disease. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
In some cases of goiter, specialist tests may be arranged, such as:
Radioactive iodine scan: This provides a detailed picture of the gland following an injection of radioactive iodine. Ultrasound scan: This assesses the gland and the size of the goiter.
Fine-needle aspiration: A biopsy to remove a sample of cells from within the gland may be performed if, for example, cancer is suspected.
Hypothyroidism
In cases caused by underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism, treatment is a synthetic replacement of thyroid hormone. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. The dosage of synthetic thyroxine (T4) is gradually increased until measurements indicate normal thyroid function has been restored, You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Synthetic preparations of T4 are preferred, but preparations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and combinations of both may be tried, as may desiccated animal thyroid extract.
Hyperthyroidism
In goiters caused by overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism, treatment aims to counter the excess hormone production. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. For instance, anti-thyroid drugs, such as ethionamide drugs, gradually reduce excessive hormone levels. Radioactive iodine to decrease thyroid function and stop hormone production is also a treatment option for hyperthyroidism. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Goiter surgery
Surgery to reduce the size of swelling is reserved for cases where the goiter is causing troublesome symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Thyroidectomies are performed under general anesthetic to remove part of the thyroid gland. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Types
There are several main types of goiter:
Diffuse smooth goiter: This occurs when the entire thyroid swells. Nodular goiter: A lump develops on the thyroid. These are extremely common. If any lumps develop, this is known as multinodular goiter.
Retrosternal goiter:
This type of goiter can grow behind the breastbone. This can constrict the windpipe, neck veins, or esophagus, and sometimes requires surgery. The type of goiter will dictate how it is treated and the symptoms that may show.
Enlarged thyroid
A goiter (GOI-tur) is an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck just below your Adam's apple. Although goiters are usually painless, a large goiter can cause a cough and make it difficult for you to swallow or breathe. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.

The most common cause of goiters worldwide is a lack of iodine in the diet. In the United States, where the use of iodized salt is common, a goiter is more often due to the over- or underproduction of thyroid hormones or to nodules that develop in the gland itself. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Treatment depends on the size of the goiter, your symptoms, and the underlying cause. Small goiters that aren't noticeable and don't cause problems usually don't need treatment. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
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Symptoms
Not all goiters cause signs and symptoms. When signs and symptoms do occur they may include: A visible swelling at the base of your neck that may be particularly obvious when you shave or put on makeup
A tight feeling in your throat
Coughing
Hoarseness
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty breathing

Causes
The pituitary gland and hypothalamus
Your thyroid gland produces two main hormones — thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3). These hormones circulate in your bloodstream and help regulate your metabolism. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. They maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, influence your heart rate, and help regulate the production of proteins.
Your thyroid gland also produces calcitonin — a hormone that helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Your pituitary gland and hypothalamus control the rate at which these hormones are produced and released. The process begins when the hypothalamus — an area at the base of your brain that acts as a thermostat for your whole system — signals your pituitary gland to make a hormone known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Your pituitary gland — also located at the base of your brain — releases a certain amount of TSH, depending on how much thyroxine and T-3 are in your blood. Your thyroid gland, in turn, regulates its production of hormones based on the amount of TSH it receives from the pituitary gland. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Having a goiter doesn't necessarily mean that your thyroid gland isn't working normally. Even when it's enlarged, your thyroid may produce normal amounts of hormones. It might also, however, produce too much or too little thyroxine and T-3. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.

Several factors can cause your thyroid gland to enlarge. Among the most common are:
Iodine deficiency. Iodine, which is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, is found primarily in seawater and in the soil in coastal areas. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. In the developing world, people who live inland or at high elevations are often iodine deficient and can develop goiters when the thyroid enlarges to obtain more iodine. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. The initial iodine deficiency may be made even worse by a diet high in hormone-inhibiting foods, such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Although a lack of dietary iodine is the main cause of goiters in many parts of the world, this is not often the case in countries where iodine is routinely added to table salt and other foods. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Graves' disease: A goiter can sometimes occur when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (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. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
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.
Multinodular goiter:- In this condition, several solid or fluid-filled lumps called nodules to develop in both sides of your thyroid, resulting in overall enlargement of the gland.
Solitary thyroid nodules:- In this case, a single nodule develops in one part of your thyroid gland. Most nodules are noncancerous (benign) and don't lead to cancer.
Thyroid cancer:- Thyroid cancer is far less common than benign thyroid nodules. A biopsy of a thyroid nodule is very accurate in determining if it's cancerous.
Pregnancy:- A hormone produced during pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), may cause your thyroid gland to enlarge slightly.
Inflammation:- Thyroiditis is an inflammatory condition that can cause pain and swell in the thyroid. It may also cause an over- or underproduction of thyroxine.
Risk factors Goiters can affect anyone. They may be present at birth and occur at any time throughout life. Some common risk factors for goiters include:
A lack of dietary iodine. People living in areas where iodine is in short supply and who don't have access to iodine supplements are at high risk of goiters. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Being female:- Because women are more prone to thyroid disorders, they're also more likely to develop goiters.
Your age:- Goiters are more common after age 40.
Medical history:- A personal or family history of the autoimmune disease increases your risk.
Pregnancy and menopause:- For reasons that aren't entirely clear, thyroid problems are more likely to occur during pregnancy and menopause.
Certain medications:- Some medical treatments, including the heart drug amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, others) and the psychiatric drug lithium (Lithobid, others), increase your risk.
Radiation exposure:- You're risk increases if you've had radiation treatments to your neck or chest area or you've been exposed to radiation in a nuclear facility, test or accident.
Complications
Small goiters that don't cause physical or cosmetic problems aren't a concern. But large goiters can make it hard to breathe or swallow and can cause a cough and hoarseness. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Goiters that result from other conditions, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, you can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. It can be associated with several symptoms, ranging from fatigue and weight gain to unintended weight loss, irritability, and trouble sleeping.
How this works.
A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that causes the neck to swell.
It is one of the most common thyroid disorders.
Goiters are often harmless but symptoms can occur, and treatment may be required depending on the size and type of goiter.
Fast facts on goiter
Here are some key points about goiter. More detail and supporting information is in the body of this article. Goiter describes a condition where the thyroid gland, located in the neck, becomes enlarged. In developed countries, goiter is usually caused by an autoimmune disease. Goiter is usually 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.

What is goiter?
The thyroid gland. An underactive gland can cause weight gain.
A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. The thyroid gland is situated in front of the windpipe and is responsible for producing and secreting hormones that regulate growth and metabolism. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Most cases are categorized as 'simple' goiters that do not involve inflammation or any detriment to thyroid function, produce no symptoms, and often have no obvious cause. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Some people experience a small amount of swelling. Others can have considerable swelling that constricts the trachea and causes breathing problems. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.

Symptoms
The degree of swelling and the severity of symptoms produced by the goiter depends on the individual. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Most goiters produce no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the following are most common: throat symptoms of tightness, cough, and hoarseness
trouble swallowing
in severe cases, difficulty breathing, possibly with a high-pitch sound Other symptoms may be present because of the underlying cause of the goiter, You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. but they are not because of the goiter itself. For example, an overactive thyroid can cause symptoms such as:
nervousness
palpitations
hyperactivity
increased sweating
heat hypersensitivity
fatigue
increased appetite
hair loss
weight loss
In cases where goiter is a result of hypothyroidism, the underactive thyroid can cause symptoms such as:
cold intolerance
constipation
forgetfulness
personality changes
hair loss
weight gain

Aside from the swelling itself, many people with goiter present no symptoms or signs at all. Causes
Goiter can be caused by several different conditions:
Iodine deficiency
Deficiency of iodine - found in seafood - is a major cause of goiter. 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. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. 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 is grown in iodine-rich soil
cow's milk
In some parts of the world, the prevalence of goiters can be as high as 80 percent, such as in the remote mountainous regions of southeast Asia, Latin America, and central Africa. In these places, the daily intake of iodine can fall below 25 micrograms (mcg) per day, and children are often born with hypothyroidism. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
The thyroid gland needs iodine to manufacture thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism.
Autoimmune disease
The main cause of goiter in developed countries is an autoimmune disease. Women over the age of 40 are at greater risk of goiter, as are people with a family history of the condition. Hypothyroidism is the result of an underactive thyroid gland, and this causes goiter. Because the gland produces too little thyroid hormone, it is stimulated to produce more, leading to the swelling. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
This usually results from Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its tissue and causes inflammation of the thyroid gland.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland, is another cause of goiter. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Too much thyroid hormone is produced. 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.
Other causes
Less common causes of goiter include the following:
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, can lead to goiter. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Lithium: This psychiatric drug can interfere with thyroid function.
Overconsumption of iodine: Too much iodine can cause a goiter. Radiation therapy: This can trigger a swollen thyroid, particularly when administered to the neck.
Treatment
Most simple goiters are preventable through adequate intake of iodine, which is added to table salt in many countries. A range of iodine supplements is available for purchase online. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Active treatment of goiter is reserved for cases that cause symptoms. If the goiter is small and thyroid function is normal, treatment is not usually offered. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of goiter is possible with a physical examination of the neck, palpating for the swelling. The doctor may ask the patient to swallow while feeling for the goiter. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Vashi. Ultrasound scans may be used to visualize the thyroid gland.
Once a goiter is diagnosed, the doctor may wish to uncover any underlying problems with thyroid function, for example, because of hyper- or hypothyroidism. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Thyroid function tests are blood tests that measure levels of TSH and T4. A carefully controlled feedback mechanism means that TSH stimulates the thyroid to produce more thyroxine, while T4 tells the thyroid to stop producing as much thyroxine. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
With an overactive thyroid, TSH levels are low or non-existent, and T4 levels are high. In people with an underactive thyroid, the reverse is true. TSH levels are high and T4 levels are low. Another hormone, triiodothyronine, is measured in some cases of an overactive gland, such as suspected Graves' disease. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
In some cases of goiter, specialist tests may be arranged, such as:
Radioactive iodine scan: This provides a detailed picture of the gland following an injection of radioactive iodine. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
Ultrasound scan: This assesses the gland and the size of the goiter.
Fine-needle aspiration: A biopsy to remove a sample of cells from within the gland may be performed if, for example, cancer is suspected.
Hypothyroidism
In cases caused by underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism, treatment is a synthetic replacement of thyroid hormone. The dosage of synthetic thyroxine (T4) is gradually increased until measurements indicate normal thyroid function has been restored. Synthetic preparations of T4 are preferred, but preparations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and combinations of both may be tried, as may desiccated animal thyroid extract.
Hyperthyroidism
In goiters caused by overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism, treatment aims to counter the excess hormone production. For instance, anti-thyroid drugs, such as ethionamide drugs, gradually reduce excessive hormone levels. Radioactive iodine to decrease thyroid function and stop hormone production is also a treatment option for hyperthyroidism.
Goiter surgery
Surgery to reduce the size of swelling is reserved for cases where the goiter is causing troublesome symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai. Thyroidectomies are performed under general anesthetic to remove part of the thyroid gland. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.
There are several main types of goiter:
Diffuse smooth goiter: This occurs when the entire thyroid swells.
Nodular goiter:A lump develops on the thyroid. These are extremely common. If any lumps develop, this is known as multinodular goiter.
Retrosternal goiter: This type of goiter can grow behind the breastbone. This can constrict the windpipe, neck veins, or esophagus, and sometimes requires surgery. You can find the best Thyroid Goiter Specialist In Navi Mumbai.