Goiter: Care Instructions

Overview

A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. It can cause swelling in your neck.

Your thyroid is found in the front of your neck. It makes a hormone that controls how your body uses energy.

A goiter can be caused by a lack of iodine in the diet, a tumor or nodule on the gland, a thyroid disease, or, in rare cases, cancer. In many parts of the world, goiters are most common in people who have hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This is related to a low-iodine diet. In the United States, most people with goiters have chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis).

You may take thyroid hormone to reduce the size of your goiter. Or you may need surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. Some people don't need any treatment. They only need to watch for changes in the goiter.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You have trouble breathing.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• Your eyes turn red and bulge.
• You have trouble swallowing.
• You feel very tired or weak.
• You lose weight but are eating the same or more than usual.