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Thyroid goiters are enlargements or growths on the thyroid gland, which can be divided into different types based on cause and shape. Simple goiters are noncancerous and caused by iodine deficiency or certain drugs, while toxic goiters result from overproduction of thyroid hormone. Congenital goiters are present at birth and caused by irregular hormone production or maternal antibodies. Thyroid cancer is rare but can produce nodular goiters.
Thyroid goiters refer to the enlargement or swelling as well as growths on the thyroid gland. These swellings can be divided into different types based on the cause and shape. The main types are simple endemic, simple sporadic, toxic, myxedema, congenital, and thyroid cancer. These swellings typically develop as a diffuse goiter with uniform enlargement of the thyroid gland or as a nodular goiter with asymmetrical lumps forming on the thyroid gland. Most of these are small and are only discovered through a physical exam, but if an enlarged thyroid gland is left untreated, it can swell and protrude from the neck.
A noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland is called a simple goiter and can form as a diffuse or nodular goiter. Simple goiters are divided into two subtypes, endemic and sporadic. An endemic goiter, also sometimes referred to as colloid goiter, is caused by a diet deficient in iodine. Iodine is used in the production of thyroid hormone and when there is a deficiency of iodine, the thyroid gland enlarges to compensate for the reduced production of thyroid hormone. Sporadic thyroid enlargement, also known as nontoxic goiter, is caused by certain drugs, regularly consuming antithyroid substances, genetics, or the cause may be unknown.
Toxic goiters are an enlargement of the thyroid gland resulting from an overproduction of thyroid hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism. These enlargements can develop as diffuse or nodular. Graves’ disease is the most common form of diffuse, toxic thyroid enlargement and is caused when antibodies attack the thyroid gland. Myxedema is caused by underproduction of thyroid hormone, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a common form of hypothyroidism, is caused by an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland that reduces the production of thyroid hormone.
When there is diffuse or nodular enlargement of the thyroid gland at the time of birth, it is called congenital goiter. These types of enlarged thyroid glands are caused by a birth defect that causes irregular production of thyroid hormone, or they are caused by the mother passing antithyroid substances or maternal antibodies to the baby across the placenta. Thyroid cancer is rare, but can produce nodular thyroid goiters. The cause of thyroid cancer is unknown, but several factors, such as heredity, radiation exposure, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, can increase a person’s risk. Any nodular growth of the thyroid gland is usually biopsied to make sure it is benign.
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