Virtual Medical Centre

Goitre thyroid enlargement

• What is Goitre thyroid enlargement?
• Who gets Goitre thyroid enlargement?
• Predisposing Factors
• Progression
• Probable Outcomes
• How is Goitre thyroid enlargement treated?
• Goitre thyroid enlargement References

What is Goitre thyroid enlargement?

3D Animation on
Thyroid Disease

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Who gets Goitre thyroid enlargement?

Goitres are more common in women than men, and may be either physiological or pathological. They are present on examination in up to 9% of the population.

Predisposing Factors

Causes of goitre:

• Physiological - puberty, pregnancy
• Multinodular goitre
• Autoimmune - Graves' disease, Hashimoto's disease
• Thyroiditis: acute (de Quervain's), chronic fibrotic (Reidel's)
• Iodine deficiency (endemic goitre)

Progression

As the goitre develops the entire neck looks swollen because of the large thyroid. This mass will compress the trachea and oesophagus, leading to goitre symptoms such as coughing, waking up from sleep feeling like you can't breath, and the sensation that food is getting stuck in the upper throat.