Question 1

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 2

is goiter hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Goiter: Some goiters are present in several family members and some are not. If you are concerned about getting it yourself because others in the family have been diagnosed with this in the past. Have your PCP check your thyroid (physical exam) and order appropriate lab studies and if it is OK don't worry but get the same labs done annually.

Question 3

how is goiter managed?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If there are nodules that are suspicious for cancer, surgery will be indicated to provide final diagnosis and definitive treatment.  If not, you may be able to manage this with medication.  
Your healthcare provider should talk to you about the options including whether you should also consult with an endocrinologist.

Question 4

how to control a goiter?

Accepted Answer

Depends on type: A goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland, may result from: hypothyroidism, iodine (i) deficiency, thyroid nodules, or graves' disease. Thyroid hormone and i replacement can control goiter associated with hypothyroidism and i deficiency respectively. Radioactive i-131 treatment can shrink the goiter and lower thyroid function in nodular disease or graves', although some patients need surgery to do this.

Question 5

what exactly is a goiter?

Accepted Answer

Enlarged thyroid: "goiter" is a term for an enlarged thyroid gland.

Question 6

symptoms of having a goiter?

Accepted Answer

Goiter: Goiter is referred to enlarged thyroid gland. Visible enlargement may be the only symptom of it. Depending on the nature of the problem, there will be various symptoms present. Benign goiters may have minimal symptoms if small, while malignant or large benign ones may interfere with swallowing and / or breathing to name a few.

Question 7

what causes a goiter to grow?

Accepted Answer

Genetics and diet: Goiters are more common when the diet is poor in iodine.  Vegetarians have to be careful because cruciferous vegetables like broccolli sometimes increases the risk of goiter.  Goiter can run in the family as well.

Question 8

when must a goiter be  treated?

Accepted Answer

If symptomatic: If the levels of thyroid hormone are normal, a goiter only needs to be treated if its size is causing problems by pressing on other structures such as the trachea.

Question 9

what is goiter and what is the cure?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Hi. "Goiter" simply refers to abnormal thyroid size and/or shape. Goiter can be diffuse, lumpy, multinodular, or solitary nodular. Thyroid shape/size abnormalities (goiters) can be associated with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, normal thyroid function, benign tumors, and thyroid cancer. "Cure" of goiter depends on underlying cause. I would recommend you see an endocrinologist. Good luck!

Question 10

why is goiter rarely in this country?

Accepted Answer

Iodized salt: Iodine supplementation, mainly through iodized salt, has eradicated iodine-deficiency, or endemic, goiter in the United States. Furthermore, certain foods (cassava and millet) eaten more commonly in some developing countries contain substances that promote the formation of goiter when iodine intake is marginal.

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