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Our thyroid specialists provide expert goiter care — from diagnosis to treatment and recovery.
Telehealth appointments are available.
The thyroid gland, located in your neck, produces hormones that regulate several bodily functions. A goiter is an abnormally enlarged or swollen thyroid gland. Most goiters are painless and treatable, but they can appear differently among patients. They can also have several possible causes.
Our thyroid experts offer comprehensive goiter treatment. We’ll monitor your condition and use the latest surgery techniques to help you find relief.
Goiters can range in size from barely noticeable to very large. You may experience symptoms such as:
If the goiter becomes large, it can press on your esophagus and trachea. You may experience more serious symptoms, including:
A goiter can have several potential causes, but iodine deficiency is the most common. Your thyroid needs iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Without enough iodine, your thyroid makes more cells and grows as it tries to make hormones.
Goiters also often appear alongside hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). However, a goiter can develop even when thyroid function is normal.
Other conditions that may cause goiters include:
Anyone can develop a goiter, but certain factors increase your risk. They are more common in females. People over age 40 are also at a higher risk. Obesity, genetics and exposure to radiation can contribute as well.
Your doctor will feel around your neck area to tell if you have a goiter. If your thyroid gland is enlarged, they may run scans and blood tests to determine the underlying issue.
Treatments can vary depending on the size, symptoms and causes of your goiter. If your goiter is small and not bothersome, your doctor may decide that no treatment is needed. Instead, they will continue to monitor your thyroid gland for any changes.
If hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism causes your goiter, your doctor may recommend medications. These medicines can slow thyroid hormone production or replace the hormones. Some medications can also help with thyroid inflammation.
Sometimes, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your thyroid gland (thyroidectomy). You may need a thyroidectomy if the goiter is large and causes issues with breathing and swallowing. Surgery can also treat thyroid cancer. Depending on how much thyroid gland your surgeon removes, you may need to take medication to replace thyroid hormones.
Our thyroid experts create a personalized care plan just for you. We use leading-edge approaches and treatments to improve your outcome.
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