Goiter is the abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. Thyroid gland is an endocrine gland situated at the neck just in front of your trachea/ windpipe. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of thyroid cells ultimately leads to enlargement of the whole thyroid gland that is visible with the naked eye [the so-called Goiter ].
Causes:
The actual cause of Goiter is the compromised synthesis of thyroid hormone. Due to this deficiency thyroid hormone is more and more stimulated by thyroid stimulating hormone from anterior pituitary. As a result of this continual stimulation thyroid cells multiply and increase in size too. So there is a compensatory increase in mass of thyroid in order to compensate for lessened thyroid hormone synthesis leading to this drastic picture of developing Goitrous hypothyroidism.
Now what could be the causes behind this decreased synthesis of thyroid hormone? Here are some;
- Goiter usually occurs in those topographical areas, where soil and diet is deficient in iodine [ an important component of thyroid hormone ].
- Other goitrogens: these are the substances that impede thyroid hormone synthesis at a certain level. For example; vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and turnips etc.
- Hereditary deficiency of enzymes involved in thyroid hormone synthesis.
- Physical stress.
Effects of Goiter on bodily functions:
As thyroid hormone is required for the normal functioning of all body systems,the deficiency of this hormone affects most of the domains of the body.
- Respiratory tract obstruction that leads to dysphagia [ difficulty in breathing ].
- Superior vena cava syndrome due to compression of vessels in the neck.
- Hoarseness of sound.