What does it mean when your thyroid gland is enlarged?

What does it mean when your thyroid gland is enlarged?

It’s more helpful to think of an enlarged thyroid gland as an observation or as a description of what is happening. This is because there are actually many different conditions which result in thyroid gland enlargement. These conditions range from infections, inflammation of the gland, nutrient deficiencies, cancer and even autoimmune disease.

Can a enlarged thyroid cause a bulge in the neck?

Even when it’s enlarged, your thyroid may produce normal amounts of hormones. It might also, however, produce too much or too little thyroxine and T-3. Enlargement of your thyroid can expand the gland well beyond its normal size and cause a noticeable bulge in your neck.

Is it dangerous to have an enlarged thyroid?

Since in most cases, changes in the thyroid gland indicate serious illnesses. But the enlarged thyroid gland is not always pathologically dangerous and requires elimination, it all depends on the reasons that led to its growth. Any increase in thyroid gland, in endocrinology is called goiter.

Is there a noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid?

Goiter is the noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland. The levels of the thyroid hormones may be unaffected as with nontoxic goiter, elevated as in the case of hyperthyroidism or decreased as in hypothyroidism.

How serious is an enlarged thyroid?

Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much thyroid hormone results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism.

How to reduce an enlarged thyroid?

Given below are some of the most common home remedies for goiter: Perform a few neck stretches or other similar exercises that are good for the health of the thyroid gland. Dandelion leaves are usually very effective in bringing down the swelling caused by goiter. Prepare a paste from sorrel leaves and add a small amount of olive oil to it.

Goiter : An enlarged thyroid is not dangerous unless it interferes with reaching or swallowing or has a suspicious nodule. Otherwise it can be common and can b Read More Not necessarily: If your hormones are in balance by blood testing, then the only problems that would arise from a large thyroid are from compression of the gland in th

What does an enlarged thyroid look like?

A visible butterfly-shaped swelling located at the lower, front part of the neck may indicate an enlarged thyroid gland. The swelling may be smooth to the touch or it may feel like a lump or many small lumps.