Causes of goiter and its risk factors, know the treatment

The cause of a goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the throat. It is responsible for producing and secreting hormones that regulate growth and metabolism. There are a variety of possible causes of a goiter, including:

Iodine deficiency

One of the most common causes of goiter formation worldwide is iodine deficiency. The thyroid requires iodine to make thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism. In some parts of the world, the prevalence of goiter can reach 80%. These include remote mountainous areas of Southeast Asia, Latin America, and central Africa.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is caused by an underactive thyroid gland. When the gland produces too little thyroid hormone, it is stimulated to produce more, causing swelling.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid gland, is another cause of goiter. In people with this condition, the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. This condition is usually the result of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and causes inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Inflammation

Some people develop thyroiditis. This is an inflammation of the thyroid that can cause a goiter. This is different from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. One example is viral thyroiditis. This usually occurs as a result of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system turns on itself and attacks the thyroid gland, causing it to swell.

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