Concept and Etiology: A goiter is the irregular growth of the thyroid
gland. Goiter disease affects the endocrine and neural body systems
because when the body has hypothyroidism, the body makes too
little of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which control a person's
metabolism. Hereditary factors may cause goiters. Risk factors for the
development of a goiter include female sex, age over 40 years,
inadequate dietary intake of iodine, residence in an endemic area, and
a family history of goiter. a It deviates from the definition of health
discussed in Module One because goiter can change a person's
overall state of physical, mental, and social well-being, because the
disease can cause a person to be fatigued, irritable, and sleeping
disorders and lack sleep can really change a person's health and
attitude.
Classification: A simple goiter may be classified as either an endemic
(colloid) goiter or a sporadic (nontoxic) goiter.
Clinical Manifestations (Signs and Symptoms):
The main and most obvious sign of goiter is a swelling and lumps or
nodules at the base of the neck.
The main symptoms of goiter include:
• Swelling in the front of the neck, just below the Adam's apple
• A feeling of tightness in the throat area
• Hoarseness (scratchy voice)
• Neck vein swelling
• Dizziness when the arms are raised above the head
Other less common symptoms may include:
• Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)
• Coughing
• Wheezing (due to squeezing of the windpipe)
• Difficulty swallowing
Some people who have a goiter may also have hyperthyroidism or
overactive thyroid. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include:
• An increased resting pulse rate
• Rapid heartbeat
• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
• Sweating without exercise or increased room temperature
• Shaking
• Agitation
Diagnostic Tests: Several tests can be used to diagnose and evaluate
goiter, including:
• Physical exam: Your doctor may be able to tell if the thyroid
gland has grown by feeling the neck area for nodules and signs
of tenderness.
• Hormone test: This blood test measures thyroid hormone levels,
which tell if the thyroid is working properly.
• Antibody test: This blood test looks for certain antibodies that
are produced in some forms of goiter
• Ultrasound of the thyroid: Ultrasound of the thyroid reveals the
gland's size and finds any nodules.
• Thyroid scan: This imaging test provides information on the size
and function of the gland. A small amount of radioactive
material is injected into a vein to produce an image of the
thyroid on a computer screen.
• CT scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the thyroid: If
the goiter is very large or spreads into the chest, a CT scan or
MRI is used to measure the size and spread of the goiter.
References
Goiter: Causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment
.
Cleveland Clinic. (2019, February 5). Retrieved November 18, 2021,
from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12625-goiter.
Thyroid goiter
. UCLA Endocrine Center. (n.d.). Retrieved November
18, 2021, from https://www.uclahealth.org/endocrine-
center/thyroid-goiter.
