Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Diagnosing an enlargement of the thyroid gland
• Method 2 of 3: Get medical attention
• Method 3 of 3: Try to treat an enlargement of the thyroid at home
• Warnings

An enlargement of the thyroid gland is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck located just below your Adam's apple. Sometimes an enlargement of the thyroid gland does not hurt, but the thyroid gland can swell so much that you have to cough, get a sore throat and / or have difficulty breathing. An enlargement of the thyroid gland can be caused by a number of different underlying conditions. There are many different treatments that are recommended to treat an enlargement of the thyroid gland, depending on the cause and severity of the condition.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Diagnosing an enlargement of the thyroid gland

1. Find out more about thyroid enlargement. In order to diagnose and then treat an enlargement of the thyroid, you first need to know what an enlargement of the thyroid is. Thyroid enlargement is an abnormal but usually benign enlargement of the thyroid gland. The condition can be associated with a normal, underactive or overactive thyroid gland.
   • An enlargement of the thyroid gland usually does not hurt, but it can cause a cough, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, a paralyzed diaphragm, or superior vena cava syndrome.
   • Treatment depends on how big the swelling is and what your symptoms are, as well as the cause of the thyroid enlargement.
2. Know the symptoms of an enlargement of the thyroid gland. To find out if you have an enlargement of the thyroid, you need to know what the symptoms are. If you have any of the following symptoms, see your doctor for an official diagnosis.
   • The area at the bottom of the neck is visibly swollen, which can be very evident when you shave or put on makeup.
   • A tense feeling in your throat
   • Cough
   • Hoarseness
   • Difficulty swallowing
   • Difficulty breathing
3. Prepare for your appointment. An enlargement of the thyroid gland is a somewhat unclear condition, because the complaints can be caused by different conditions and there are different options for treatment. That's why you should bring a list of questions. In any case, ask the following questions:
   • What causes this thyroid enlargement?
   • Is it serious?
   • How should I treat the underlying causes?
   • Are there any alternative treatments I can try?
   • Can I wait to see what happens?
   • Can my thyroid swell even more?
   • Do I have to start taking medication? For how long?
4. See your doctor. Your doctor will perform a number of different tests to determine if you have an enlarged thyroid gland. Which tests these are depends on your medical history and the probable cause of the condition.
   • Your doctor can perform a hormone test to see how much hormones are being produced by your thyroid and pituitary gland. If these amounts are too large or too small, chances are that your thyroid gland enlargement will be caused by it. Your doctor will draw blood and send it to a lab.
   • Your doctor may also test your antibodies, as abnormal antibodies can cause an enlargement of the thyroid gland. Your blood will be tested during this test.
   • With an ultrasound, a device is held above your neck that reflects sound waves. An image of your neck is then formed on the computer screen. This allows the doctor to detect abnormalities that cause your thyroid gland to enlarge.
   • A thyroid scan can also be performed. The doctor injects a radioactive isotope into the vein in your elbow and you lie down on the exam table. With a camera, images of your thyroid gland are made that are displayed on a computer screen. The doctor can then see what the cause of your thyroid enlargement is.
   • You can also get a biopsy. This is usually done to rule out cancer. During a biopsy, a piece of tissue is removed from your thyroid gland, which is then examined.

Method 2 of 3: Get medical attention

1. Use radioactive iodine to shrink the enlarged thyroid gland. In some cases radioactive iodine can be used to treat an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
   • The iodine is taken orally and enters your thyroid through your bloodstream, destroying cells. This treatment has been widely practiced in Europe since the 1990s.
   • This treatment is effective because after 12 to 18 months the swelling has shrunk by 50 to 60% in 90% of the patients.
   • This treatment may cause your thyroid gland to work too slowly, but this is rare and can usually be seen in the first two weeks after treatment. If you are concerned about the risk, talk to your doctor about this treatment beforehand.
2. Use medications. If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, you will be prescribed medication to treat the condition.
   • Synthetic thyroid hormones such as Levothyroxine help reduce the symptoms of hypothyroidism. They also cause your pituitary gland to release hormones more slowly. This is a reaction of your body that compensates for the symptoms and can cause your swollen thyroid gland to shrink.
   • If your swollen thyroid does not shrink with the help of synthetic thyroid hormones, you will still need to keep taking the drugs to treat the other symptoms. However, your doctor may recommend that you use aspirin or a corticosteroid cream.
   • Patients usually respond well to synthetic thyroid hormone treatment, but some side effects may occur. Side effects include chest pain, increased heart rate, sweating, headache, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea and an irregular menstrual cycle.
3. Consider surgery. The thyroid enlargement can be surgically removed. There will be a cut about 7-10 centimeters in the center of your neck, above the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is then completely or partially removed. The operation takes about four hours and most people are allowed to go home on the day of the operation.
   • If your thyroid is large enough to put pressure on the neck and esophagus, surgery is usually recommended. In this case, you have difficulty breathing and suffocation attacks at night.
   • Thyroid enlargement can be caused by thyroid cancer, but this is rare. If your doctor suspects you have a tumor, he or she will likely want to surgically remove the enlarged thyroid.
   • It is less common for people to have surgery for cosmetic reasons. Sometimes a swollen thyroid gland is simply not beautiful and in this case one can opt for surgery. If you want to undergo the procedure for cosmetic reasons, your health insurance may not reimburse you for the procedure.
   • After removing the thyroid gland, you will usually have to use the same synthetic hormones as used for an underactive thyroid gland.

Method 3 of 3: Try to treat an enlargement of the thyroid at home

1. Wait and see what happens. If your doctor determines that your thyroid gland is functioning normally and the swelling is not large enough to cause health problems, he or she may recommend that you just wait and see what happens. Medical treatment can have side effects and if there are no other problems besides some irritation, it is best to wait and see if the problem goes away on its own over time. If your thyroid gland swells even more or is causing problems, you can always make other decisions.
2. Increase your iodine intake. Sometimes an enlargement of the thyroid gland is caused by problems with your diet. Iodine deficiency has been linked to an enlargement of the thyroid gland, so getting more iodine may help shrink the swelling.
   • Everyone needs at least 150 micrograms of iodine daily.
   • Shrimp and other shellfish are high in iodine, as do sea vegetables such as kelp, hiziki and kombu.
   • Organic yogurt and raw cheese are rich in iodine. 250 ml of yogurt contains 90 micrograms of iodine and 30 grams of cheese contains 10 to 15 micrograms of iodine.
   • Cranberries are very high in iodine. 120 grams of cranberries contain 400 micrograms of iodine. Strawberries are another great choice. 200 grams of strawberries contain 13 micrograms of iodine.
   • White beans and potatoes are also high in iodine.
   • Make sure to use iodized salt.

Warnings

• An enlargement of the thyroid gland is rarely dangerous, but always seek medical attention if it affects you. Thyroid enlargement can be a sign of thyroid cancer and should be examined by a doctor.