A goitre (BrE), or goiter (AmE) (Latin gutteria, struma), also called a bronchocele, is a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or larynx (voice box). Goitre usually occurs when the thyroid gland is not functioning properly.
They are classified in different ways:
Other type of classification:
Worldwide, the most common cause for goiter is iodine deficiency. In countries that use iodized salt, Hashimoto's thyroidi...
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A goitre (BrE), or goiter (AmE) (Latin gutteria, struma), also called a bronchocele, is a swelling in the thyroid gland, which can lead to a swelling of the neck or larynx (voice box). Goitre usually occurs when the thyroid gland is not functioning properly.
They are classified in different ways:
Other type of classification:
Worldwide, the most common cause for goiter is iodine deficiency. In countries that use iodized salt, Hashimoto's thyroiditis becomes the most common cause.
Other causes are:
Iodine is necessary for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). In endemic goitre, iodine deficiency leaves the thyroid gland unable to produce its hormones because the mature hormone molecules require iodine atoms to be attached. When levels of thyroid hormones fall, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is produced by the hypothalamus. TRH then prompts the pituitary gland to make thyrotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates the...
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