NECK, ENLARGED: TREATMENT

The treatment for goiter depends on its cause, which your doctor will detetmine after a blood test and possibly a consultation with an endocrinologist. In the case of hypo- or hyperthyroidism, in which the thyroid gland produces too little or too much thyroxine, your doctor will first do a physical examination and check yout medical history. She will specifically check for any body tremors, nervousness, an intolerance to heat, or a weight gain or loss, all of which are signs of a thyroid condition. She will also place your fingers on your neck and ask you to swallow, which will help her check for a goiter or nodule on your thyroid. Your doctor will also conduct a blood test and perform a scan of your thyroid with a radioactive substance, which will help her to check both the activity and the structure of your thyroid.

If you have hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of the hormone, treatment with replacement thyroxine medication usually eases the problem.

If the enlargement is due to a growth on the gland, surgery is usually recommended. In a few cases, the growth may turn out to be cancerous, so if it does not disappear after a week, you should see your doctor immediately. If surgery is required, the growth will be removed and you will feel better in several weeks.

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