Endemic goiter

• Thyroid swelling -- may be one small nodule to a very large mass
• Breathing difficulties (rare)
• Swallowing difficulties (rare)
• Enlarged neck veins
• Dizziness when the arms are raised above the head (large goiter )

• Thyroid scan
• Thyroid ultrasound
• Blood tests to monitor thyroid function including thyroid stimulating hormone (high if underactive, low if overactive)
• Radioactive iodine uptake (normal or increased)
• Urinary excretion of iodine (low)

Images

Endocrine glands

Thyroid enlargement - scintiscan

Thyroid gland

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Colloid nodular goiter Overview

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Colloid nodular goiter Treatment

Review Date: 02/08/2007
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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