How serious is a swollen thyroid?
How serious is a swollen thyroid?
A goiter is typically not dangerous, unless the underlying cause of thyroid enlargement is a thyroid cancer. It is important to identify the cause of the goiter to rule out cancer.
How does it feel when your thyroid is swollen?
The main symptoms of goiter include: A swelling in the front of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. A feeling of tightness in the throat area. Hoarseness (scratchy voice)
Can swollen thyroid go away?
Goiters are often harmless and may go away after a short time without treatment. People usually do not need treatment unless the goiter is large and causes bothersome symptoms.
How can I make my thyroid swelling go down?
Treatments for an enlarged thyroid include:
- Thyroid hormone replacement pills if the goiter is due to an underactive thyroid.
- Small doses of Lugol’s iodine or potassium iodine solution if the goiter is due to a lack of iodine.
- Radioactive iodine to shrink the gland if the thyroid is producing too much thyroid hormone.
How do you treat swollen thyroid?
Radioactive iodine is a treatment for an overactive thyroid gland. The dose of radioactive iodine is taken orally. The thyroid takes up the radioactive iodine, which destroys cells in the thyroid. The treatment lowers or eliminates hormone production and may decrease the size of the goiter.
What does it mean if your thyroid gland is swollen?
A swollen thyroid can increase or decrease the production of thyroid hormone and can present additional symptoms. Graves’ disease is when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing an overproduction of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. The excess hormones and increased stimulation of the gland causes the thyroid to swell.
What happens if the thyroid gland is swollen?
A swollen thyroid, or goiter, occurs when the gland swells to larger than normal. Large goiters, seen or felt at the base of the neck, may cause tightness in the throat, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. A swollen thyroid can increase or decrease the production of thyroid hormone and can present additional symptoms.
What are the causes of a swollen thyroid?
Thyroid malignancy/carcinoma
What does a swollen thyroid feel like?
A goiter (swelling) may be seen on one side of the thyroid, and occasionally on both. Feel the bumps and enlargements. Gently touch the area around your thyroid gland to try to palpate (feel) any enlargement, bumps, or protrusions. To differentiate between the thyroid and the other structures of your neck:
