Goiter causes

Goiter causes

Simply put, a goiter means that the thyroid gland has grown to an unnaturally large size. In most cases goiter is caused by a lack of iodine in the diet. Since the primary function of the gland is to concentrate iodine form the blood to make the thyroid hormone, iodine deficiency was thought to have caused thyroid related problems.




And as a result, the pituitary gland in the brain feels that the thyroid hormone level is too lower than normal and sends an indication to the thyroid. This signaling is known as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH induces the thyroid to develop the hormone and to develop.


The irregular development in size is what is termed as goiter.

These days, apart from just iodine deficiency, the reasons for an abnormal function of the thyroid are varied. In the case of Hashimoto’s thyroid, those suffering from it have the condition that the thyroid gland secretes too little thyroid. Patients with Graves’ disease have an abnormally large thyroid due to the fact that their gland secretes very high quantities of thyroid, much more than the body requires.

In the case of multi-nodular goiter a number of nodules grow in both sides of the thyroid, leading to gross expansion of the gland. This condition may take place even if the thyroid is producing enough hormones. A solitary nodule, on the hand, is the development of an exclusive nodule that can grow in any part of your thyroid gland.