What causes endemic goiter?

Answer 1

Goiter is a hypothyroid condition caused by iodine deficiency. Because of widespread goiter in landlocked midwestern states, in the past, iodine was included in table salt. This is why salt - for sale in grocery stores today - still says "iodized salt" (although it may be bought without iodine, as well).

There are various different causes of a goiter:

• Iodine Deficiency - Iodine found in fish products, drinking water and table salt, is essential for the production of thyroid hormone. If there is a lack of it, an individual will suffer from hypothyroidism. In an effort to produce more thyroid hormone thethyroid gland is over stimulated and enlarges to form an endemic goiter. An iodine deficiency is very common in underdeveloped countries.
• Graves' Disease - This is an autoimmune disease which causes the thyroid gland to be overactive (hyperthyroidism). In Graves' disease, antibodies produced by the immune system stimulate the thyroid gland which then enlarges, resulting in an enlarged goiter, and produces excess thyroid hormone.
• Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Hashimoto's disease is also an autoimmune disorder. The immune system destroys the thyroid gland which results in less thyroid hormone being produced. The pituitary gland then stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones, causing it to enlarge and a goiter can then develop.
• Solitary Thyroid Nodules - A single nodule develops inside the thyroid which causes an enlarged thyroid.
• Multinodular Goiter - In this disorder, many nodules develop inside the thyroid which causes an enlarged thyroid. These nodules are not usually harmful.
• Thyroid Cancer - The cancer may be detected as a lump or nodule in the thyroid gland and may result in goiter formation.
• Inflammation - Inflammation of the thyroid is also referred to as thyroiditis, and it is usually associated with hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid). There are many causes of thyroiditis that can result in an enlarged thyroid or goiter. Some common symptoms of thyroiditis include mild fever and neck pain that is worse with swallowing.
• Pregnancy - During the first trimester of pregnancy, a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) can result in an enlarged thyroid gland. The thyroid gland mistakenly registers HCG for TSH (the thyroid stimulating hormone produced by the pituitary gland) and enlarges in response to it.

Answer 2

In many hilly areas, you have very less Iodine salt in the drinking water. This causes enlargement of the thyroid gland, specially in puberty. So you have epidemic of goitre in such area. That is called epidemic goitre.

Answer 3

An iodine defiency in your diet, the Thyroid gland makes up for it by growing larger.

Answer 4

It is caused by Iodine deficiency which causes swelling in the throat

Answer 5

goitre occurs in particular place and it is restricted to particular areas , so gitre is called an endemic disease.