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A
goitre refers to an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid. When you look in the
mirror you may notice a lump around your throat, or a visible band of swelling
around the base of your neck.
Women
over 40 are at far greater risk of developing a goitre.
The common signs of a goitre
A
goitre may not cause any physical discomfort, or it may cause difficulty with
swallowing along with a range of other symptoms depending on the extent of the
swelling. The signs of a goitre may include:
·
noticeable
lump in the throat region
·
sensation
of a lump in the throat
·
difficulty
drinking and swallowing food
·
hoarseness
of the voice or difficultly speaking
·
breathing
problems due to swelling
·
dizziness
when arms are raised above the head
·
visible
veins in the neck
What causes a goitre?
+ If you are not low
in iodine then the formation of a goitre could be due to a thyroid
autoimmune disorder such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
+ A goitre can also be
due to nodules growing on the
thyroid
and in some circumstances a goitre can develop due to thyroid cancer.
Get an accurate diagnosis
Any
type of abnormal swelling in the neck or throat should be checked by your
doctor. Your doctor will do a physical examination and order blood tests to check
your thyroid hormone levels. They may also recommend an iodine clearance
test. Due to the limitations of a physical examination most doctors refer
patients to an imaging clinic for a thyroid ultrasound.
How is a goitre treated?
Treatment
depends on the extent of the swelling, your symptoms and the underlying cause.
Uncovering the cause is very important so you can commence with the most
appropriate treatment.
The
standard medical approach includes:
+ ‘Watchful
waiting’. If the goitre is small and not bothering you it’s likely your
doctor will not recommend any type of treatment and instead opt to for regular
monitoring. However it is a very good idea to get proactive and find effective
ways to deal with the underlying cause.
+ Thyroid
medication. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is commonly prescribed to
treat the associated hypothyroid symptoms.
Thyroxine
is the most widely prescribed medication to treat low thyroid function. It is a
synthetic form of thyroxine (T4).
+
Iodine supplementation. Iodine is prescribed if the goitre is due to an
iodine deficiency. Low iodine intake causes enlargement of the thyroid. A good
quality iodine supplement is an effective
strategy to reduce thyroid swelling.
+
Biopsy. A biopsy sample of your thyroid tissue may be required if there
are large nodules within the thyroid.
A biopsy is taken to also rule out thyroid cancer.
+
Surgery. Removal of the thyroid may be recommended if the goitre is
large and causing difficulty with breathing and swallowing. If all of the
thyroid is removed you will need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy
for the rest of your life.
Here
are some recommendations you can get started with today…
+
Avoid dietary goitrogens. Some foods contain substances that interfere
with uptake of iodine by the thyroid and are therefore known as goitrogens. The
term is derived from the word ‘goitre’. Soy, millet and cruciferous vegetables
such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, bok choy, kale, cauliflower and
broccoli are the most common. In their raw state these vegetables are very
goitrogenic.
+
Eat a wholesome, thyroid nourishing diet. Fresh, natural foods supply a wide
range of nutrients to help you recover your thyroid health.
+
Avoid thyroid disrupting toxins. Ongoing research reveals toxic environmental chemicals pose a serious
threat to your thyroid health.
+
Filter your water.
Most urban water supplies have fluoride-like compounds added in. Fluoride
blocks thyroid function and is best illustrated by the fact that it is used as
a thyroid suppressing medication for hyperthyroid conditions.
Read
the following related articles:
Author Bio:
Louise O’ Connor,
the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who
is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian
Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.
The Natural Thyroid
Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve
healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details,
Click on
The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com
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