What is simple goitre?
A simple goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is usually not a tumor or cancer.
What is nodular goiter?
Definition. Toxic nodular goiter involves an enlarged thyroid gland. The gland contains areas that have increased in size and formed nodules. One or more of these nodules produce too much thyroid hormone.
What causes thyroid nodules?
What causes thyroid nodules? Nodules can be caused by a simple overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue, fluid-filled cysts, inflammation (thyroiditis) or a tumor (either benign or cancerous). Most nodules were surgically removed until the 1980s.
Can simple goiter be cured?
A goiter only needs to be treated if it is causing symptoms. Treatments for an enlarged thyroid include: Thyroid hormone replacement pills if the goiter is due to an underactive thyroid. Small doses of Lugol’s iodine or potassium iodine solution if the goiter is due to a lack of iodine.
What is the symptoms of simple goitre?
The main symptom of a goitre is an enlarged thyroid gland, which may range in size, from looking like a small spot or nodule to a large lump. In very rare cases a goitre can put pressure on the trachea (windpipe) and oesophagus, which can cause breathing problems, a cough, and problems swallowing.
Will thyroid nodules cause weight gain?
Most people who have thyroid nodules lead a normal life. You might need to check in with your doctor more often, but there usually are no complications. If you do have complications, they can include problems swallowing or breathing. You may also sustain significant weight gain or weight loss.
Is nodular goiter serious?
Multinodular goiters do increase your chance of developing thyroid cancer, but they can be treated with medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery depending on the type, if necessary. While they can cause or be related to other conditions, typically multinodular goiters themselves aren’t a life-threatening condition.
How do you treat nodular goiter?
Radioactive Iodine This treatment is mainly used to shrink a goiter or nodule that causes the thyroid to produce too much thyroid hormone. The iodine is given as a capsule or liquid. Once swallowed, it concentrates in the thyroid and destroys some or all of the thyroid tissue, without harming other tissues.
Do thyroid nodules go away?
Although some thyroid nodules – especially smaller ones or those filled with fluid – can go away on their own, they tend to gradually grow, even when they’re benign.
Can thyroid nodules make you tired?
Older people with a nodule that produces too much thyroid hormone may have only vague symptoms, including: Fatigue.
Can nodular goiter be cured?
Do thyroid nodules need to be removed?
“Most thyroid nodules are benign (non-cancerous) and cause no problems if left untreated. However, approximately 5 to 10 percent of thyroid nodules are cancerous – but even then, a patient might not need surgery right away because most thyroid cancers grow slowly.”
Should I be worried about a goiter?
Enlarged thyroid A goiter may be an overall enlargement of the thyroid, or it may be the result of irregular cell growth that forms one or more lumps (nodules) in the thyroid. A goiter may be associated with no change in thyroid function or with an increase or decrease in thyroid hormones.