Enlarged Thyroid Gland

Thyroid Goiter Treatment

In treating goiters, your doctor will consider:

No treatment. In some cases, the thyroid will correct itself naturally.

The size of the goiter. If it's relatively small and not bothersome, treatment may be unnecessary. But you should continue to monitor your condition carefully.

Goiter medications There are a number of goiter medications that can help, and you should talk over your range of options with your doctor. He or she may prescribe Levothyroxine (also known as Levothroid and Synthroid), which is a thyroid hormone replacement therapy commonly used for underactive thyroid conditions.

Other goiter medications are available if your thyroid is overactive.

If the goiter is caused by an inflammation, aspirin or a corticosteroid mediation might be prescribed. Small doses of iodine can be taken at the direction of your doctor if the goiter is the result of iodine deficiency.

Radioactive iodine treatment This type of treatment may be appropriate for overactive thyroid. Radioactive iodine is injected into the bloodstream. The iodine kill thyroid cells, which shrinks the gland. Normally, hormone replacement therapy follows radioactive iodine treatment.

Radioactive iodine treatment involes the use of a radioactive isotope that is administered orally, in a liquid or capsule form. Radioactive iodine treatment risks are relatively small. Radioactive iodine treatment sometimes causes inflammation and swelling in the thyroid gland. This condition is known as radiation thyroiditis. If this happens, it may cause some discomfort in your neck. If you have hyperthyroidism, it may temporarily worsen. Radioactive iodine treatment side effects usually only last a few days, and medications are available that can help you feel better.

Biopsy This is often used in the case of large nodules, and helps your doctor know if the thyroid is cancerous. Once cancer has been ruled out, other treatment options become more clear.

Thyroid goiter surgery If the goiter is so large that it causes eating and breathing complications, thyroid goiter surgery sometimes becomes necessary to remove the nodules or the entire thyroid gland itself. In such cases, lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy may be needed.

Also see our related article on thyroid goiter symptoms.

 

      

 

 

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