Question 1

can a goiter pinch a nerve?

Accepted Answer

Which nerve?: Rarely, a goiter can affect the recurrent laryngeal nerve that goes to the voice box, and cause hoarseness.

Question 2

is a goiter painful?

Accepted Answer

No: Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid) is almost never painful.  Goiters and their symptoms (trouble swallowing, breathing, etc) increase slowly.  A painful or rapidly enlarging thyroid should be evaluated asap.

Question 3

how big is the average goiter?

Accepted Answer

Twice normal size: A normal thyroid can be up to 4-5 CM (2") from top to bottom, about 5-6 CM (2") across, and about 2 CM (less than 1") from front to back.  The normal weight  is 10-20 grams (about 1/2 ounce).  While some goiters can be 10x this size or even larger, most goiters are much smaller than this, or about twice the size of a normal thyroid gland.

Question 4

what is the best med. for goiter?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If it's due to iodine deficiency (uncommon in most countries) it's iodine. If it's due to hypothyroidism, you need thyroid hormone replacement. If it's due to hyperthyroidism you need treatment with radioiodine or antithyroid drugs. Check w/your doctor.

Question 5

what is the cause of goiter of women?

Accepted Answer

Many causes.: Overactive (grave's disease) or underactive thyroid, usually secondary to hashimoto's thyroiditis will cause a goiter.  In graves', thyroid stimulating antibodies stimulate TSH receptors.  In hypothyroidism, the pituitary gland producces more tsh, trying to keep up, but enlarging thyroid tissue at the same time.  Benign multinodular goiters, and even solitary nodules can do this.  Women more so!

Question 6

what are the symptoms of a goiter in men?

Accepted Answer

Neck swelling/swallo: Swelling of neck and if it is very big it may cause difficulty in swallowing and if it is toxic goiter it may give bulging eyeballs, tremors, weight loss, rapid heart beat and palpitation, heat intolerance.
Ang if it is associated with hypothyroidism it will cause sluggishness, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin and depression.

Question 7

why is goiter not as rare in the united states?

Accepted Answer

Not true: Good old fashioned iodide deficient goiters are no longer seen in the US.
However, when imaging studies are done for other reasons, we are beginning to ascertain incidentally generous sized thyroid glands (and nodules within the gland) more often.
If the function of the gland is normal, and there are no antibodies against the gland in a person without any compressive symptoms, this can be ignored.

Question 8

if someone have goiter what food not allowed to eat?

Accepted Answer

Cause of goiter: It is more important to determine the cause of goiter. Goiter is the term for enlarged thyroid gland and you need to consult your doctor to ascertain the cause and have proper treatment.

Question 9

is goiter contagious?

Accepted Answer

No: You cannot "catch" a goiter from others.  But there are parts of the world with iodine deficiency, so that many residents will develop goiters.  Within families, there may be a predisposition to auto-immunity, so that the immune system makes antibodies that target thyroid proteins, and can cause multiple family members to develop a goiter.

Question 10

is a goiter treatable?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Treatment will depend on what triggered the goiter.It can vary from simple medication to surgical removal.Discuss with your doc.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Can a goiter pinch a nerve

A member asked:

Can a goiter pinch a nerve?

A member asked:

Is a goiter painful?

A member asked:

How big is the average goiter?

A member asked:

What is the best med. for goiter?

A member asked:

What is the cause of goiter of women?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of a goiter in men?

A member asked:

Why is goiter not as rare in the united states?

A member asked:

If someone have goiter what food not allowed to eat?

A member asked:

Is goiter contagious?

A member asked:

Is a goiter treatable?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?