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By Mayo Clinic staffIf you've been diagnosed with a goiter, you're likely to have further tests to determine the cause. You might find it helpful to make a list of questions to ask your doctor, such as:
- What caused this goiter to develop?
- Is it serious?
- What can be done to treat the underlying cause?
- What are the alternatives to the main treatment that you're proposing?
- What will happen if I choose to do nothing?
- Will the goiter continue to get larger?
- Will the treatment you're suggesting improve the appearance of the goiter?
- Will I have to take medication? For how long?
References
- Goiter. American Thyroid Association. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Goiter_brochure.pdf. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Simple nontoxic goiter. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch152/ch152i.html. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Jameson JL, et al. Disorders of the Thyroid Gland. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2877579&searchStr=goiter. Accessed Nov. 28, 2008.
- LaFranchi S. Goiter and thyroid cancer in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- LaFranchi S. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Endocrinology update: Imaging the thyroid nodule. MayoClinic.org. http://www.mayoclinic.org/mcitems/mc5800-mc5899/mc5810-1207.pdf. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Iodine. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Home Edition for Patients and Caregivers. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec12/ch155/ch155f.html. Accessed Oct. 2, 2008.
- Bauer DC, et al. Thyroid Disease. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine. 5th edition. The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2091040&searchStr=goiter. Accessed Nov. 28, 2008.
- Nontoxic goiter: Diffuse and nodular. In: Kronenberg HM, et al. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th edition. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/112198375-3/778390960/1555/77.html. Accessed Nov. 28, 2008.