goitre
Last edited 12/2019
- a goitre is a non-specific term that is used to describe any enlargement of the thyroid.
- it is seen as a midline neck swelling which moves up on swallowing.
- goitres are more common in women than men.
- presence
of a goitre does not indicate that the thyroid gland is malfunctioning (1)
- it may be associated with different thyroid functional states,namely:
- hyperthyroid - a gland that is producing too much hormone
- hypothyroid - producing less hormone
- euthyroid - producing normal amounts of hormone
- a goitre indicates that there is a lesion which is causing the abnormal growth of the thyroid. (1)
- it may be associated with different thyroid functional states,namely:
- thyroid disease includes thyroid enlargement and thyroid hormone dysfunction
(2):
- thyroid enlargement may be benign, resulting in nodules or goitre, or malignant in people with thyroid cancer
- conditions causing thyroid dysfunction can be broadly divided into those that result in thyroid gland underactivity (hypothyroidism) or overactivity (thyrotoxicosis)
- thyroid enlargement is common
- about 15% of the UK population have clinically detectable goitres or thyroid nodules, and the lifetime risk of developing a thyroid nodule is around 5 to 10%
- in many cases, thyroid glands harbouring malignancy are clinically indistinguishable from those that are not. Most people with a non-malignant enlarged thyroid gland and normal thyroid function need no treatment.
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