The thyroid is a gland located in the neck that controls metabolism. If this gland is not functioning properly, you can experience mild to severe symptoms. Some diseases and conditions can cause your thyroid gland to become enlarged. Understanding why the thyroid becomes enlarged and recognizing symptoms will help you to make choices to best manage your health.
Identification
An enlarged thyroid, also called a goiter, may signal some type of thyroid disease. An enlarged thyroid can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, cancer, Grave's disease, Hashimoto's disease or a possible iodine deficiency. The presence of thyroid nodules may also be a signal that the thyroid is enlarged. However, the Hormone Foundation states that "most thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms, and a person may not even be aware of the nodule's presence until it is discovered, perhaps during a routine medical examination."
Types
According to the Cleveland Clinic, goiters have different causes depending on their type. They can be classified as simple, hereditary or as the result of a medical condition. Simple goiters, which are either colloid or sporadic, are caused by an inadequate supply of thyroid hormone. Colloid goiters occur as a result of an iodine deficiency; there is no known cause for sporadic goiters.
Nutritional Imbalances
Disease or nutritional imbalances may cause the thyroid gland to be unable to produce enough hormones to meet the body's needs. To help counterbalance this, the thyroid gland may become enlarged. According to the Mayo Clinic, lack of iodine in the diet is the most common cause of an enlarged thyroid worldwide. When not enough iodine is present, the thyroid gland may enlarge to try to take in more. However, because most people in the United States use salt that is iodized, the most likely causes of goiter in Americans is the underproduction or overproduction of thyroid hormones, or nodules that form in the thyroid.
Other Causes of Englarged Thyroid
In the case of Grave's disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. In an attempt to protect itself, the gland becomes overactive and tries to produce more hormones, which can cause the thyroid to become enlarged. The opposite is true for Hashimoto's disease. In this case the immune system damages the thyroid to the extent that it can no longer produce enough hormones. When the level of hormones decreases, the pituitary gland attempts to stimulate the thyroid, causing the gland to become enlarged. Thyroid cancer may manifest itself as growths on the thyroid, making it larger. Inflammatory conditions such as thyroiditis and hormones released during pregnancy can also cause goiter.
Symptoms
Some people with an enlarged thyroid develop no symptoms or complications. In other cases, symptoms may develop. These include swelling at the base of the neck, having trouble breathing or swallowing, coughing, tightness around the thyroid area or hoarseness in the throat. The Cleveland Clinic states that other symptoms can include neck vein distention and dizziness when the arms are raised above the head. Thyroid symptoms may also include an increase in heart rate, agitation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Treatment
In many cases, before beginning treatment, a physician with a patient with an englarged thyroid may first wait to see if the enlarged thyroid will create symptoms. Medications, radioactive iodine taken orally and surgery are all options to treat an enlarged thyroid. Monitoring iodine intake may also be necessary.
