The simple goiter

The simple goiter is the increase in the size of the thyroid. The causes were formerly in the deficit of mud intake, although at present it may be related to an immune problem.

Generally, simple goiter is asymptomatic , although it can present symptoms of local comprehension when it is large, such as voice alteration, cough, shortness of breath or mild dysphagia.. When it is associated with excessive production of thyroid hormone can give symptoms such as nervousness, weight loss, hand tremor, excessive sweating, tachycardia, insomnia or diarrhea, among others.

Simple goiter treatment

Goiter with few nodules and of small size (less than 2 cm) and without suspicion of malignancy can be kept under observation by an endocrinology service. When there is associated hyperthyroidism, it is necessary to administer antithyroid drugs that reduce the levels of thyroid hormone .

Surgical treatment is performed in cases of multiplicity of nodules with progressively increasing size or suspicion of malignancy. The thyroid gland is partially or totally removed. In cases of malignancy it may be necessary to remove some nodes in the vicinity of the thyroid.

Indications after treatment

Patients who have undergone complete thyroid excision should have a life-long thyroid hormone replacement therapy. In the case of removal of half of the gland, it will depend on the diagnosis and whether the functioning thyroid part that has not been removed, compensates or not the lack of thyroid hormone production removed.

Sometimes a calcium and vitamin D treatment needs to be taken for a few weeks, rarely for life.. Regardless of this, life is performed with complete normality after hospital discharge.