What is the cause and how to treat it?
Goiter describes an abnormally enlarged thyroid. Previously, this condition was often caused by iodine deficiency, but with the addition of iodine to food salt, by legal measures, this problem was practically eliminated.
Today’s cases of goiter, most often result from the fusion of benign or benign nodules in the thyroid gland, which can grow and occasionally multiply.
Changes in the thyroid gland that cause goiter often occur randomly, but may be associated with certain medications or thyroid conditions, most commonly hypothyroidism and sometimes hyperthyroidism. If the goiter extends from the neck to the upper part of the chest, it is called a substernal goiter.
Strumogen factors are:
Certain genetic disorders can cause a decrease in the ability of thyroid cells to accumulate iodine, which can contribute to the appearance of goiter.
The use of certain medications, such as sulfonylureas, phenobarbitone, amiodarone, rifampicin and lithium salts, may increase the risk of developing goiter.
Autoimmune thyroid disorders and conditions that lead to an increase in TSH levels (pituitary and hypothalamus tumors) can stimulate the thyroid gland and contribute to the appearance of goiter.
Various inflammatory diseases of the thyroid gland can cause changes in the thyroid tissue and contribute to the development of goiter.
Diseases such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, which cause granulomas to form, can affect the thyroid gland and contribute to the appearance of goiter.
Certain substances found in food, such as cyanoglucosides and thioglucosides, especially present in cabbages, can have a strumogen effect.
A lack of selenium in the diet can affect thyroid function and increase the risk of developing goiter.
In nodular goiter, it is important to consider the possibility of the presence of cysts, adenomas, malignant thyroid tumors or metastases of tumors in the thyroid gland, especially if it is a mononodal thyroid.
There are diffuse goiter forms (without nodules) and nodular forms. The hormonal expression of goiter can be euthyrotic (where thyroid hormone values are in the normal range), hypothyroid (with lower thyroid hormone values) or hyperthyroid (with elevated thyroid hormone values).
A special anatomical shape of the goiter is the so-called retrosternal goiter, which tends to grow behind the sternum.
It is important to distinguish between different forms of goiter in order to determine the appropriate diagnosis and therapy. In addition, diagnostic methods such as ultrasound scans and cytological analyzes are often crucial in determining the nature of the nodules and the characteristics of the goiter.
Patients who have goiter may notice:
An enlargement of the thyroid gland can result in changes in the appearance of the neck, which can be noticeable visually.
An enlarged thyroid gland can cause a feeling of pressure or lumps in the throat during swallowing.
An enlarged thyroid can physically interfere with the swallowing process, causing real difficulty in eating.
In some cases, an enlarged thyroid gland can put pressure on the trachea, causing difficulty breathing.
For an accurate diagnosis, it is important to evaluate thyroid function using comprehensive laboratory blood tests, since goiter can sometimes be associated with hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease).
In addition to laboratory findings, a physical examination of the thyroid, larynx and neck is crucial. The surgeon should assess the degree of enlargement of the thyroid gland and its impact on the neck and structures of the upper chest, which is often achieved by ultrasound and CT imaging of the head and upper chest.
At LF Medical Group, thyroid specialists, endocrinologists, and cytologists with experience in assessing thyroid function work work together to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan for patients with goiter problems.
For goiter, there is no drug therapy available that could reduce the size of the thyroid gland and thus cure the condition.
If it has been decided that active treatment of goiter is necessary for objective reasons, surgical intervention is recommended.
Surgical intervention on the thyroid gland involves removing one lobe of the thyroid gland, and often the entire thyroid gland. This procedure may also involve the removal of surrounding lymph nodes in the neck that are connected to the thyroid gland. The surgeon will create an individualized treatment plan after a thorough analysis of all available findings.
The decision to have surgery usually depends on the severity and causes of the goiter, and a surgical approach can help improve symptoms and reduce complications associated with an enlarged thyroid.
Our main goal at the LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with a top-notch health service.
That is why we have gathered a team of top experts, specialists and subspecialists who are the backbone of our multidisciplinary centers and specialist clinics.
Our goal is to achieve a safe and long-term good result through a successful diagnosis and selection of individual treatment, with timely monitoring of the patient.
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For a consultation and examination with our expert team, you can contact us by phone at +3851 2444-646 or via our online form. Opening hours for orders are Monday to Friday 10:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
The main goal of LF Polyclinic is to improve the quality of life and health of our clients by providing them with top-notch healthcare services.
