Medical Diseases List

Goitre - Symptom, Causes, Treatment of Goitre

Goitre is the enlargement of the thyroid gland that causes a visible swelling in the front of the neck. Goitre has many causes. Slight to moderate swelIing of the thyroid may be normal during puberty and pregnancy or around the menopause, when the gland enlarges to produce the extra thyroid hormones neededat these times.

The thyroid needs iodine to produce the hormones thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) Goitreis common in regions of the world where there is not enough iodine in the water, because the thyroid enlarges in an attempt to make enough of these hormones.

Other causes of goitre include certain foods (such as turnips) and some drugs !including lithium and some oral treatments for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) that suppress the production of T4 and T3. If sufficient hormone cannot be produced. such goitres are associated with hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone deficiency). Goitre may also result from HYPERTHYROIDISM (overproduction of thyroid hormone). thyroidism (inflammation of the thyroid) and thyroid cysts or cancer

Goitres resulting from normal need for increased thyroid hormones (during pregnancy, for example) generally subside when the need no longer exists. Others should be investigated to discover and correct the underlying cause.

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