A 46-year-old member asked:
what're the risks involved with goiter removal?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. David Geffner answered
Endocrinology 54 years experience
Depends: On the surgeon. Who told you the goiter must be removed? Are you having symptoms of compression? What is the cause of the goiter? An overactive or underactive thyroid? See a thyroidologist before a surgeon.
5558 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
Does an enlarged goiter affect your voice?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Mike Bowman answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 19 years experience
It can: The voice box (larynx) is a very sensitive organ and it is easily affected by many problems (allergy, acid reflux, overuse, thyroid enlargement, throat cancer, etc).
Voice problems that are severe and/or longstanding should be evaluated by your local ENT or laryngologist.
6258 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 33-year-old member asked:
How big is the average goiter?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Susan Wingo answered
Endocrinology 33 years experience
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.
6312 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
How long does it take to develop a goiter?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Mike Bowman answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 19 years experience
Months to years: Generally goiters develop slowly over months to years. They can cause symptoms, like trouble swallowing, breathing and hoarseness, but these symptoms also develop slowly. Any rapid changes in size or symptoms should be evaluated asap as it concerning for a thyroid cancer.
6258 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
What is a nodular goiter?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Susan Wingo answered
Endocrinology 33 years experience
Thyroid with masses: Goiter usually means an enlarged thyroid gland, but can also refer a normal-sized gland with nodules or masses within it. Thyroid nodules are areas within the gland that stick out from the gland and can be felt when pressing on the neck, or may be areas that appear different from the normal gland on imaging tests like ultrasound or cat scans.
6270 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
What is retrosternal goiter?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Phil Zapanta answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Thyroid in chest: A goiter is enlarged thyroid. The thyroid is in the neck but it can enlarge enough to drop into the chest. Here it sits behind the sternum hence it is now a retrosternal goiter.
5746 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Apr 15, 2013
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