Colloid nodular goiter

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Endocrine glands

Thyroid enlargement - scintiscan

Colloid nodular goiter

Alternative Names:

Endemic goiter
Treatment:

Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is prescribed for iodine deficiency. Hormone replacement inhibits thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and allows the thyroid to recover.

A large goiter that is unresponsive to medical management or restricts swallowing and breathing may require partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland.

text continues below

If the goiter is producing too much thyroid hormone, treatment with radioactive iodine, antithyroid medication, or surgery may be necessary.

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis is good with treatment. A persistent goiter may become toxic, causing symptoms of excess thyroid hormones to develop. Sudden enlargement of a thyroid gland may indicate internal bleeding or immune disorder, and requires immediate medical attention.

Complications:

Progressive thyroid enlargement or the development of hardened nodules may indicate thyroid malignancy (cancer). If there is a single, dominant nodule or if a nodule is enlarging, a fine needle biopsy should be performed to exclude malignancy.
A simple goiter may progress to a toxic nodular goiter.
Thyrotoxicosis may occur spontaneously with iodine re-exposure.
Medications such as amiodarone and lithium can affect thyroid function.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if signs of thyrotoxicosis develop: