Endocrinology and Diabetes
Goiter
An enlarged thyroid may get better on its own. But our team is here for you when you need more complex testing and treatment.
Medically reviewed by Jose Joaquin Lado Abeal, M.D. on Nov. 19, 2024.
What Is Goiter?
Goiter is when your thyroid gland becomes enlarged. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It plays an important role in controlling your bodily functions, including your breathing, heart rate and metabolism.
Goiter may mean the whole thyroid is bigger. It may also mean there are growths on the thyroid, called thyroid nodules.
In many cases, you need treatment to address the cause of goiter and keep your thyroid healthy. Our thyroid experts in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism can give you the help you need.
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Symptoms of Goiter
Some people with goiter have a noticeable lump in the front of their throat. In other cases, you may not realize you have an enlarged thyroid.
Goiter can cause hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid). As a result, you may have symptoms of abnormal thyroid hormone levels.
Possible Symptoms
Goiter may cause a range of symptoms, such as:
- A hoarse voice
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Extreme tiredness
- Hair loss
- Pain or swelling in your neck
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Trouble swallowing
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Causes of an Enlarged Thyroid
Goiter can develop for many reasons, including an underlying autoimmune condition or thyroid issue. Causes of goiter include:
Autoimmune Diseases
Some autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s disease or Graves’ disease, cause the immune system to attack the thyroid. They lead to inflammation (swelling) and other thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Certain Medication
Medications such as lithium or amiodarone, which treat other conditions, can impact your thyroid.
Foods High in Goitrogens
Some foods have compounds called goitrogens in them that can affect how your thyroid works. When eaten in large quantities, foods such as cruciferous vegetables, soy, red wine, tea and peanuts can lead to goiter.
Iodine Deficiency
An enlarged thyroid can happen when you don’t have enough iodine in your body. Iodine is a mineral that helps the thyroid make thyroid hormone. Your thyroid gets bigger as it tries to absorb as much iodine as possible.
Smoking
The nicotine in cigarettes can affect how your thyroid works.
Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis, or inflammation (swelling) of your thyroid, can change how the gland works. Many things can cause thyroiditis, including other thyroid conditions, pregnancy, and radiation therapy for head and neck cancers.
Thyroid Nodules
Noncancerous growths called nodules can form on your thyroid. They can create too much thyroid hormone and lead to a type of goiter called toxic nodular goiter.
Risk Factors for Goiter
Certain things can increase your chances of developing goiter, including:
Age
People older than 40 are more likely to develop goiter.
Biological Sex
Goiter more commonly affects women than men.
Family History
Goiter can run in families. You face a higher risk if you have a family member who has experienced goiter.
Iodine Deficiency
Living in a region with low access to foods with iodine can increase your risk for goiter.
Diagnosis and Testing for Goiter
Our expert endocrinologists (hormone specialists) at UC Davis Health can diagnose goiter and figure out the cause. We do several tests to understand your symptoms and check your thyroid health.
Your provider will look at your medical history to learn about any existing conditions and medications you take. They will also do a physical exam to check for swelling around your thyroid.
You will get blood tests that tell us more information about your thyroid function, including:
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test: TSH is a hormone that your pituitary gland makes. It signals to your thyroid to produce thyroid hormone. Testing the amount of TSH in your blood can show if your thyroid is making too much or too little thyroid hormone.
- Thyroxine (T4) test: This test measures the amount of a thyroid hormone called T4 in your blood.
You may also get thyroid imaging and function tests, including:
- Thyroid scan and uptake: These tests check the health and function of your thyroid gland by using radioactive iodine. They can help your provider see thyroid nodules and understand the cause of goiter.
- Ultrasound: Your provider may use ultrasound imaging to look at thyroid nodules.
If you have thyroid nodules, we may do a biopsy. A biopsy involves taking a tissue sample from the growth and checking it for thyroid cancer.
Goiter Treatments at UC Davis Health
Goiter may not always need treatment. Sometimes it may not cause any symptoms, and the swelling goes away on its own. At UC Davis Health, our compassionate providers closely monitor your thyroid to make sure it improves.
If you do need goiter treatment, our thyroid experts offer a range of therapies. We work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that prioritizes your health and comfort. Your treatment depends on the cause of goiter and any underlying condition you may have.
Your provider may recommend:
Iodine Therapy
You may need iodine medication to increase the amount of iodine in your body.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement
An underactive thyroid may cause or develop from goiter. Thyroid hormone replacement medication can help control thyroid hormone levels in your body with hypothyroidism.
Radioactive Iodine (Radioiodine) Therapy
Radioiodine therapy involves ingesting small doses of radioactive iodine, which the thyroid absorbs. It causes the thyroid to shrink, treating goiter and any thyroid nodules that create too much thyroid hormone.
Thyroid Surgery
You may need surgery to remove or target nodules on an enlarged thyroid that creates too much thyroid hormone. We offer minimally invasive thyroid procedures, including thyroid ablation, that leave minimal scars and help you recover faster. After surgery, you may need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication.
Preventing an Enlarged Thyroid
You can prevent some cases of goiter through your diet. Using iodized salt instead of normal salt can help prevent an iodine deficiency. You can also avoid eating large amounts of foods high in goitrogens.
Women are
4xMore likely to develop goiter than men
Who does it affect?
60-70%Of adults develop thyroid nodules
Source: National Library of Medicine (StatPearls): Goiter
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