Suddenly noticing a lump on the front of your neck can be distressing. You might wonder where it came from and what it means for your health — but it’s important not to panic.
About 5% of Americans have thyroid goiters. They’re not usually dangerous, but they do need proper evaluation and treatment to protect your health. As a board-certified endocrine surgeon at North Tarrant Health Providers, Balaguru Sambandam, MD, FACS, is here to help.
Read on to learn what a thyroid goiter is, what your treatment options might be, and what you should do next.
A thyroid goiter develops when your thyroid gets enlarged. Your thyroid sits at the front of your neck, and if it swells, a goiter can manifest as a visible lump or a tight feeling in your throat.
Goiters can form due to many different underlying causes, such as:
Most goiters are harmless and don’t cause any noticeable symptoms. Some larger goiters can interfere with breathing, swallowing, or hormone production. In rare cases, a goiter could be a sign of thyroid cancer.
If you have a thyroid goiter, it’s important to get a diagnosis. Your goiter could indicate an underlying condition, like hormonal imbalance, and treating the cause can improve your overall health.
Before recommending treatment, Dr. Sambandam reviews your symptoms and the characteristics of the goiter to determine the cause. Treatment options vary, but could include:
If your goiter is small and it doesn’t cause symptoms, a "watch and wait" approach might be recommended. Regular monitoring and periodic ultrasounds can check to see if your goiter grows or develops complications that require medical intervention.
If you’re diagnosed with an underlying thyroid condition, like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, medication can help. For hypothyroidism, synthetic thyroid hormone replacement therapy can help increase hormone levels to a healthier range. For hyperthyroidism, antithyroid drugs or radioactive iodine can slow hormone production and relieve symptoms.
Sometimes, lifestyle modifications can improve goiters. For example, if your goiter is due to an iodine deficiency, increasing your iodine intake through diet or supplements can be effective. Remember to consult Dr. Sambandam before making any dietary changes.
In some cases, conservative treatment isn’t enough to manage goiter symptoms. Dr. Sambandam may recommend endocrine surgery, specifically thyroidectomy, if conservative treatments haven’t worked, if your goiter causes significant symptoms, or if you have suspicious thyroid nodules that necessitate further investigation.
Thyroidectomy involves surgically removing all or part of your thyroid gland. Before your procedure, we review your medical history to determine the best method to relieve your symptoms and manage your thyroid condition.
Being diagnosed with a thyroid goiter can be unsettling, but we’re ready to help you find the answers you need. To learn more about your goiter treatment options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sambandam and our team. Call our office in Fort Worth, Texas, at 817-904-4165 today, or request your appointment online any time.
