Goiter is a phenomenon in which the thyroid tissue structure is larger than normal, appearing mainly around the neck. This causes many inconveniences in daily life, making the patient often feel choked, lose voice, have difficulty chewing, and swallowing. Not only that, it also causes loss of aesthetics, making the patient feel self-conscious when communicating. What is the manifestation of this disease? How to treat it? Let the article below help you answer.

Thyroid volume

The thyroid is an important endocrine organ of the body, located in the middle of the neck. It has the function of producing thyroid hormones, helping to regulate the body’s activities.

The thyroid gland has a structure similar to the shape of a butterfly, divided into 2 lobes, connected by a thin strip of parenchyma, also known as the thyroid isthmus.

The size of the thyroid gland increases, proportional to the development of the body. The normal volume of this organ will change according to age as follows:

• Newborns: 0.8 – 1.5 mL;
• Children from 3 – 4 years old: 3mL;
• Adolescents: 8 – 10mL;
• Adult women: 18mL;
• Adult men: 25mL.

Thyroid volume varies between ages and genders.

Classification of enlarged thyroid gland

In fact, enlarged thyroid gland is divided into 3 common types:

• Simple goiter: This condition occurs mainly in women, but is very benign, does not affect the function of the thyroid gland. The disease is caused by severe iodine deficiency in the patient for a long time.
• Diffuse goiter: This is the early stage of simple goiter, with the manifestation of the thyroid gland growing abnormally large on both sides.
• Nodular goiter: This is the later stage of simple goiter, forming tumors in the neck. An enlarged thyroid gland can be a single or multiple nodule, benign or malignant.

Causes of goiter

Many studies have shown that there are many causes of goiter. Determining the correct cause of the disease can help you treat it thoroughly and properly. Here are some of the main causes of this condition:

• Iodine deficiency in the diet;
• Graves’ disease, also known as Basedow’s disease;
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis;
• Multinodular goiter, or multinodular goiter;
• Solitary thyroid nodule;
• Thyroid cancer;
• Thyroid swelling;
• Excessive consumption of foods containing Goitrogens such as: Cabbage, broccoli, cassava, soybeans,…
• Plummer-Vinson syndrome;
• Hyperthyroidism;
• Hypothyroidism;
• Women during pregnancy,…

Hyperthyroidism is one of the causes of abnormally enlarged thyroid gland.

How to treat an enlarged thyroid gland?

If the thyroid function test results are normal, it is likely that the patient has simple goiter. At this time, you only need to change your daily diet and lifestyle. At the same time, have a periodic check-up every 6 months to ensure that the disease is controlled at a stable level.

In the case of a patient with goiter due to many pathological causes, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment measures. Specifically:

Endoscopic surgery

This method is only applied to thyroid tumors that are smaller than 3cm in size and have less than 3 tumors. Before performing surgery, the doctor will determine the exact location and size of the tumor through imaging diagnosis.

However, endoscopic surgery often leaves a side effect of wound bleeding. Therefore, the patient needs to be monitored for at least 5 days before being discharged from the hospital.

Laser surgery

Laser surgery for thyroid tumors is one of the most modern technologies. This method can easily treat small, newly formed tumors in the initial stage. Laser surgery is considered the safest, and the treatment time is also the fastest, lasting only 7 – 10 days.

Laser cutting surgery is applied at many prestigious medical facilities.

Using high-frequency waves

The mechanism of this method is to use high-frequency waves to burn benign thyroid tumors, smaller than 3cm in size. During the procedure, the doctor needs to combine it with ultrasound for diagnostic imaging.

Diet when having goiter

Diet directly affects the results of the treatment of goiter. Thus, people with an enlarged thyroid should limit and add the following foods to their daily meals:

What should people with goiter eat?

Specialists recommend that people with goiter should increase their intake of foods that are beneficial for the health of the thyroid gland, such as:

• Juicy fruits are: Grapes, strawberries, raspberries, etc.
• Dark green vegetables: Malabar spinach, water spinach, spinach, fish mint, etc.
• Iodine-rich foods: Seaweed, algae, shellfish, etc.
• Yogurt;
• Seafood is rich in omega-3, zinc, vitamins,…

What foods should people with enlarged thyroid avoid?

Consuming too much of the following foods can make the condition of enlarged thyroid worse:

• Processed foods, fast food;
• Cake, candy, soft drinks containing too much sugar, sweeteners;
• Animal organs containing a lot of lipoic acid;
• Alcohol, beer, coffee and other stimulants,…

People with hyperthyroidism should eat healthy, combined with regular check-ups.

Hopefully through this article, you have clearly understood the causes, treatments and nutritional regimen for people with enlarged thyroid. If your body shows unusual symptoms, you should visit a reputable medical facility for timely treatment!