SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
The sign of a goitre is that it becomes visible. Sometimes this enlargement is the only manifestation. At other times the goitre can become very big and disfiguring. A big goitre can impinge on the gullet or on the trachea inside the neck and cause swallowing or breathing problems.
Apart from these mechanical problems a goitre can also present with an underproduction of thyroid hormones — hypothyroidism — or an overproduction of thyroid hormones —hyperthyroidism or Grave’s disease. Underproduction and overproduction of thyroid hormones can also occur without a visible goitre.
The symptoms of underproduction can be mild or can be very severe leading to cretinism. The common symptoms of underproduction of thyroid hormones are:
- Mental and growth retardation
- Mental and physical sluggishness and apathy
- Feeling constantly fatigued
- Getting tired easily
- Feeling drowsy all the time
- Mental confusion in advance cases
- Dry and rough skin
- Hair loss
- Hoarse voice
- Feeling excessively cold
- Loss of appetite
- Poor memory
- Irregular menses (periods)
- Frequent miscarriages
- Swelling of legs
- Constipation
- Weight gain
The symptoms of overproduction of thyroid hormones can be mild or can be very severe. The common symptoms of overproduction of thyroid hormones are:
- Irritability and short temper
- Nervousness
- Having tremors, usually of hands
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Hair loss
- Lack of energy and getting tired easily
- Increased appetite
- Frequent urination
- Irregular or heavy menses (periods)
- Palpitations
- Excessive sweating
- Swelling of the tips of the fingers
- Eyes becoming prominent and popping out of the sockets
- Frequent passing of stool
If a viral infection is the cause of the goitre, then this presents with very severe pain in the neck and often a fever is present. If the cause is cancer, then other symptoms may be found as the cancer enlarges or spreads.
TREATMENT
The treatment of goitre depends on the cause. Briefly, for cosmetic reasons or if the goitre is pressing on other organs in the neck, it can be removed surgically.
Widespread goitres due to iodine deficiency in the diet are treated by using iodated salt or by giving iodine tablets or iodine injections.
Underactivity of the thyroid gland — hypothyroidism — can be treated with the replacement of thyroid hormones taken by mouth. Overactivity of the thyroid gland — hyperthyroidism or Grave’s disease — can be treated in 3 ways:
- By removing the thyroid gland partially
- By giving drugs that block the formation of thyroid hormones or
- By burning the thyroid gland with radioactive chemicals
Treatment of cancer of the thyroid gland is by surgery, by radiotherapy, or by chemotherapy.
PREVENTION
Using iodated salt prevents the development of goitres and thyroid hormone underactivity that can affect the mental and physical health of all, but especially of children. Thyroid gland diseases due to cancer and autoimmune process — where the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland — is not preventable, at the moment.
