GOITRE

WHAT IS IT?

• A swelling of the thyroid
• Causes a lump to appear

SYMPTOMS

• Swelling of the neck
• Coughing, tight feeling in the throat or change in the voice
• Less common inlcude difficulty in breathing or swallowing

CAUSES

• Hyper/hypothryroidism
• Pregnency
• Menopuase
• Iodine deficiency

TREATMENT

• Depends on the initial cause
• If their is no problem with the thyroid and the goitre is small then treatment may not be necessary immediately
• If there is hypothyroidism, levothyroxine may be used as hormone treatment
• If the thyroid is overactive, then thinoamides or radioactive iodine may be used.
• If there is iodine deficiency is detected, then iodine supplement may be prescribed

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• If the goitre is large, then surgery may be necesary to remove all or part of the thyroid.
• This is primarily done when the goitre effects breathing and swallowing
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