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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing enlarged thyroid Enlarged thyroid

Not all goiters cause signs and symptoms. When signs and symptoms do occur they may include:

  • A visible swelling at the base of your neck that may be particularly obvious when you shave or put on makeup
  • A tight feeling in your throat
  • Coughing
  • Hoarseness
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty breathing
Causes Definition
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

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