What is Goitre?
The term "goitre" refers to abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, due to something causing the thyroid to grow larger than normal. It is important to understand that the presence of a goitre does not necessarily mean that the thyroid is not functioning properly. Goitre is more frequent in women, probably due to the higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases, increased iodine requirements during pregnancy and oestrogen exposure.
Goitre explained in first person
Having thyroid nodules does not mean that we are dealing with a malignant disease. It is a disease that is usually up to 99% benign.
A thyroid goitre can make normal amounts of thyroid hormones (euthyroidism), too many (hyperthyroidism), or too few (hypothyroidism).
There are two types:
- Nodular or multinodular goitre. When the enlargement of the thyroid is due to the presence of one or more nodules.
- Diffuse goitre. When the thyroid enlargement is diffuse in the absence of a nodule, e.g., autoimmune goitre in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves-Basedow disease.
How many people does it affect?
Goitre is more frequent in women, probably due to the higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases, increased iodine requirements during pregnancy and oestrogen exposure. The prevalence of sporadic forms is usually 4-7%. In iodine deficient areas (endemic forms - affecting a region or country) it affects more than 5% of young people or children.
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Published: 2 June 2021
Updated: 2 June 2021
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