8 causes of goitre that you should know
Tags: Goiter, Masculinity, Health, Men, Cancer

The all important butterfly gland called the thyroid is located in the lower part of the front of the neck. It is responsible for regulating many of the body’s metabolic processes. When this gland gets enlarged, it is called goitre. This enlargement may be visible or not. It may be simple or contain multiple nodules (multinodular).

Here are some of the causes of goitre:

Iodine is an element that the thyroid gland needs in order to produce thyroxine. When a person does not have enough of iodine, then the thyroid may get overstimulated to produce more. This can lead to enlargement of the gland. This type is the most common cause of goitre worldwide. Cases in Nigeria and other countries are reducing because of the introduction of iodine into commercial table salt.

Selenium is another key mineral in thyroid hormone production. It also helps to protect the gland from stress. When selenium deficiency occurs together with a significant iodine deficiency, then goitre is likely to occur. Proper management should then include both iodine and selenium supplements.

This disorder is an autoimmune disorder which results from the production of a particular protein that stimulates the thyroid gland. This over-stimulation results in an increase in size as well as an overproduction of the thyroid hormones. The former is called thyroid hypertrophy, which shows up as the goitre, and the latter is hyperthyroidism, which may result in certain signs and symptoms as it progresses. Graves’ disease is fairly common in Africa, especially among women.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is also an autoimmune disorder but it appears to be more commonly diagnosed in temperate regions than in Africa. It is characterised by a destruction of the cells of the thyroid gland by proteins produced by the body itself (autoantibodies). This destruction affects the ability of the thyroid to produce its hormones, resulting in hypothyroidism. The body then attempts to compensate for this lowered level of thyroid hormones, resulting in the enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Infections of the thyroid gland are not very common but they do occur, particularly in patients with compromised immunity. The infection can spread through an tiny opening that connects the gland to the respiratory system or to the oesophagus. Apart from these, tuberculosis is an infection which can spread practically into any organ, including the thyroid gland.

Abnormal lumps or nodules can develop in the thyroid gland. They can be single or multiple (multinodular) and the nodules can be solid or contain fluid (cysts). While these are not cancerous, they require investigating and monitoring over time.

Some toxins can also interfere with the function of the thyroid gland. One of the major one is thiocyanate, which is a product of conversion from hydrogen cyanide in tobacco smoke. Cassava also contains cyanide and if not properly soaked, fermented, rinsed and dried/heat processed, thiocyanate conversion can occur easily within the body. Thiocyanate is a problem because it is similar to iodine. This fools the body into thinking that it has excess iodine, which it promptly excretes. With a lowered iodine content, thyroid hormone production is reduced and goitre may result.

Apart from this, glucosinolates in some foods, particularly from the cruciferous vegetables from the Brassica family, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and so on as well as isoflavones found in soyabeans and soy foods like tofu are also goitrogenic.

Amiodarone induced dysfunction: the drug amiodarone, is an antiarrythmic drug that is sometimes prescribed for patients with a certain type of heart problem. Unfortunately, it is similar in structure to thryoxine, which can cause a dysfunction in the normal production of the thyroid hormones. This derangement can lead to thyroid gland destruction, overstimulation or even both! Goitre can result. Other goitrogenic drugs include lithium, rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, sulphonamides, and so on.

9. Thyroid Cancer

Enlargement of the thyroid gland may be due to cancer that arises directly from the mutated cells in a portion of the thyroid gland itself. It can also be due to an invasion by cancer cells from a malignancy elsewhere in the body, which have spread to the thyroid. Fortunately, thyroid cancers are fortunately quite rare and are often curable.

Managing goitres

Diagnosis starts from history, clinical examination and thyroid function tests. They also include tests for certain antibodies. Apart from this, different types of biopsy can be done, especially the fine needle type. The cause determines the treatment and the prognosis of the disease.

The treatment can then be as basic as simple monitoring over time to medications to treatment with radioactive iodine to surgery, which may even involve a total removal of the thyroid gland.

Conclusion

There are many things that can result in the enlargement of such an important gland like the thyroid enlargement. It is why it is important to get regular checks, particularly if you are at risk for thyroid gland disease. There are different treatment options.

Whether you have a question related to your thyroid glands or you have other health concerns, our doctors are available via phone call or chat on doctordial.ng.