A colloidal goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland caused by a lack of iodine, which is needed to produce thyroid hormones. It can cause swelling in the neck and pressure on nearby structures, but can be treated with extra iodine in the diet. It is rare in developed countries where iodine is regularly added to food and table salt.
A colloid goiter, sometimes known as colloidal nodular goiter or endemic goiter, is a thyroid gland that has become enlarged due to a lack of iodine. Located in the front of the neck, the thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, affecting heart rate, temperature, digestion, energy levels, and other bodily functions. Iodine is needed by the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormones, and an iodine deficiency can cause the gland to grow larger in an effort to increase its hormone production. Colloidal goiters occur most frequently in areas where there is little iodine in the soil. This means that food grown in the soil and then eaten by local people is likely to be iodine-deficient.
The term goiter describes any swelling of the thyroid gland, and different types of goiter can develop. A colloidal goiter is an example of what is called a simple goiter. Another type of simple goiter, known as sporadic goiter, can develop in some people. Here, the cause is usually unknown.
Thyroid problems such as the diseases hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can also cause goiter. In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid is overactive, while in hypothyroidism, it is underactive. Both diseases are autoimmune conditions, in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Viral infections and tumors can also cause the thyroid to swell.
Symptoms of this type of goiter may not develop until the growth is large enough to put pressure on nearby structures, such as the windpipe and esophagus. When the windpipe, or trachea, becomes pinched, you may experience a cough and hoarse voice, and in severe cases, it may be difficult to breathe. Compression of the esophagus, the tube through which food reaches the stomach, can cause swallowing problems. Signs of a colloid goiter can be obvious swelling in the neck, and sometimes if the arms are raised, the veins in the neck can become prominent and breathing can be restricted.
While these goiters are the most common thyroid swelling worldwide, they are rare in many developed countries, where iodine is regularly added to food and table salt. Investigations are usually needed to determine the precise cause of any enlarged thyroid gland. Treatment of colloidal goiter generally involves adding extra iodine to the diet and avoiding foods that interfere with the thyroid’s use of iodine and indirectly stimulate goiter growth. The outlook for someone with a colloid goiter is generally positive once treatment is in place.
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