Please read: Important 2013 cancer research update from Dr. Michael Camilleri

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Small goiters that don't cause physical or cosmetic problems aren't a concern. But large goiters can make it hard to breathe or swallow and can cause a cough and hoarseness. Goiters that result from other conditions, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, can be associated with a number of symptoms, ranging from fatigue and weight gain to unintended weight loss, irritability and trouble sleeping.

Preparing for your appointment Risk factors
References
  1. Thyroid disorders overview. The Hormone Foundation. http://www.hormone.org/Thyroid/overview.cfm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
  2. Goiter. American Thyroid Association. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/patient_brochures/goiter.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
  3. Ross DS. Clinical manifestations and evaluation of obstructive or substernal goiter. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
  4. Jameson JL, et al. Disorders of the thyroid gland. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies: 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2877579&searchStr=goiter. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
  5. Lal G, et al. Thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5027231&searchStr=goiter#5027231. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
  6. Simple nontoxic goiter. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch152/ch152i.html?qt=goiter&alt=sh. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
  7. Iodine deficiency. American Thyroid Association. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/patient_brochures/iodine_deficiency.html. Accessed Nov. 5, 2010.
  8. Hyperthyroidism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch152/ch152e.html. Accessed Nov. 5, 2010.
  9. Approach to the patient with a thyroid nodule. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch152/ch152b.html. Accessed Nov. 5, 2010.
  10. Hypothyroidism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch152/ch152f.html. Accessed Nov. 5, 2010.
  11. Thyroid diseases. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/thyroid.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
  12. Ross DS. Treatment of obstructive or substernal goiter. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
DS00217 Jan. 8, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger