The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ that sits at the front of the neck. The gland consists of two lobes, one wrapped around each side of the trachea. The function of the thyroid gland is to make thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is responsible for regulating the metabolism of every cell in the body. The thyroid gland is susceptible to several distinct problems or medical conditions. Several of these conditions cause the thyroid gland to become enlarged.
Goiter
A goiter is one condition in which the thyroid gland grows larger than normal. MayoClinic.com reports that the most common reason for goiter development is a lack of iodine in the diet. In countries where most people use iodized salt, an iodine deficiency is not usually the cause of the goiter. In these cases, the goiter is caused by an over or under production of the thyroid hormone. Treatment for a goiter depends on the size of the growth and ranges from oral medication to surgery or radioactive thyroid ablation.
Thyroid Nodule
Thyroid nodules are small growths that form within the thyroid gland. These growths are often felt as hard lumps in the throat. Most thyroid nodules are benign over-growths of thyroid tissue, but some nodules may be cancerous. A biopsy of the nodule is the only way to determine if it is cancerous. Treatment of a thyroid nodule depends on its cause.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists reports that an enlarged thyroid gland may be due to one of two autoimmune disorders that can affect thyroid tissue. The two autoimmune diseases are Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an inherited condition in which the body's own immune system attacks the thyroid gland and compromises its ability to make thyroid hormone. Symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis include symptoms of hypothyroidism, or low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. Those symptoms include drowsiness; fatigue; dry, itchy skin; constipation; and weight gain. Treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis consists of taking an oral thyroid hormone supplement.
Graves' Disease
Graves' disease is the other autoimmune disorder that may cause an enlarged thyroid. Graves' disease is a condition in which the body's own immune system attacks the thyroid gland and causes it to over-produce the thyroid hormone. Symptoms of Graves' disease consist of symptoms of hyperthyroidism, or having too much of the thyroid hormone in the blood. Those symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, weight loss and irregular menstrual cycles. Treatment of Graves' disease ranges from medication to slow the production of the thyroid hormone to surgical removal of the thyroid gland or radioactive ablation of the thyroid.
