What is a goiter?

The word “goiter” means enlarged thyroid. It indicates that there is abnormal growth of the thyroid gland. It is usually asymptomatic. It can be caused by genetics, iodine deficiency, nodules, and thyroiditis. Rarely, it may need surgery of it causes symptoms of problems swallowing or breathing due to pressure on the esophagus or windpipe or if it is visible on the front of the neck.

Enlargement from thyroid nodules can also be treated with radio frequency ablation of the nodules. The word “goiter” can also be used to describe a structural abnormality in the thyroid, even without the size of the gland being enlarged. The presence of nodules in the thyroid is often called uninodular goiter (only one nodule in the gland) or multinodular goiter (more than one nodule).