What is Goiter?
Goiter is the term used to describe enlarging or swelling of the thyroid, a tiny gland found near the Adam’s apple. The swollen area may be sore and tender or may not be painful at all. In some cases, the goiter can cause pressure on the esophagus, which can result in a tight feeling around the throat, causing shortness of breath or a choking sensation. There are different kinds of goiter. The most common types are colloid, toxic nodular and nontoxic. Colloid refers to goiter caused by hypothyroidism, or decreased production of thyroid hormones. In this case, the thyroid gland increases in size because it is attempting to produce a greater amount of hormones. Weight gain or the inability to lose weight may be an issue for people suffering from this condition, because the hormones made by the thyroid are essential to healthy metabolism. Slow metabolism causes people to burn calories at a decreased rate. Toxic nodular goiter usually refers to hyperthyroidism or the excess production of t
• Goiter: Swollen neck thyroid gland. • Goiter: Enlargement of the THYROID GLAND that may increase from about 20 grams to hundreds of grams in human adults. Goiter is observed in individuals with normal thyroid function (euthyroidism), thyroid deficiency (HYPOTHYROIDISM), or hormone overproduction (HYPERTHYROIDISM). Goiter may be congenital or acquired, sporadic or endemic (GOITER, ENDEMIC). Source – Diseases Database • Goiter: abnormally enlarged thyroid gland; can result from under-production or over-production of hormone or from a deficiency of iodine in the diet. Source – WordNet 2.
Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a small gland located in the neck, below your Adam’s apple. The thyroid can be enlarged due to generalized enlargement of the thyroid or nodules (tissue growths) within the thyroid. The thyroid gland produces the hormones thyroxine (also called T4) and a small amount of triiodothyronine (also called T3). Most of the T4 is converted to T3 outside of the thyroid. These thyroid hormones influence such bodily functions as a person’s body temperature, mood and excitability, pulse rate, digestive functions, and other processes necessary for life. It is important to understand that goiter is not cancer and that most goiters are, in fact, benign.
