A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland which is situated at the front of the throat, below the larynx. It is made up of two lobes on either side of the windpipe, joined in front by an isthmus. The thyroid gland secretes hormones that regulate metabolic processes, such as growth and energy expenditure. This gland is controlled by the pituitary gland, which is located in the brain. The pituitary prompts the thyroid to make its hormones including thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) by releasing a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). However, if a persons diet is too low in iodine the thyroid can't manufacture hormones. Never the less the pituitary keeps sending chemical messages to the thyroid, without any result . The thyroid gland then enlarges as it unsucsesfuly trys tos to comply with the pituitary's glands instruction. Apart from iodine deficiency, other causes of goiter involve conditions of the thyroid - such as nodules, cancer, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

The symptoms of a goiter include: * Enlargement of the throat, ranging from a small lump to a huge mass. * Swallowing problems, if the goiter is large enough to press on the esophagus. * Breathing problems, if the goiter is large enough to press on the windpipe (trachea).

The surgeon will try to identify and preserve your parathyroid glands if possible. Unfortunately this difficult and sometimes impossible as these glands are very tiny and literally embedded in the thyroid. If the parathyroids are inadvertently removed it results in a condition called "hypoparathyroidism," which is common and treatable.

Because the results of the uptake will determine whether you will need surgery to remove your thyroid glands.

'Thyroid' disorders have been noted for centuries, since at least the 1100s. However, as the thyroid gland wasn't identified until 1656, the cause of these disorders was a medical mystery for a very long time. In 1656, the thyroid gland was at last located and identified by Thomas Wharton, an anatomist. For more information see 'Related Links' below.

I have been on Synthroid for a year. After a bad cold I called my Doctor and she said to take the Synthroid and wait 1 hour before taking ibuprofen.

Propylthiouracil is used to treat hyperthyroidism. It works by stopping the thyroid gland from making thyroid hormone.

Propylthiouracil should usually be given only to people who are allergic to or cannot tolerate methimazole (Tapazole) or who are in the first trimester of a pregnancy.

Because thyroid hormones affect each and every living cell in the body, hyperthyroidism also affects these cells by revving up their metabolism beyond the point they are designed to function optimally.

For appropriate diagnosis and treatment of thyroid dysfunction, please seek the help of a board certified endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid problems.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. The result are symptoms such as fast heart rate, anxiety, significant weight loss, hair loss, loose bowel movements, muscle weakness, smooth skin, irregular menstrual cycles, and increased miscarriages.

Grave's Disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are two that I know of. Grave's tends to have a steady stream of hyperthyroid symptoms while in Hashimoto's tyroiditis it might start out hyperthyroid and as the antibodies attack it will eventually dwindle down to hypothyroidism. Somtimes there will be bursts of hyperthyroid behavior as the thryoid gland is destroyed by antibodies in Hashimoto's thryoiditis.

No. But it can coexist with a swelling of the thyroid which may superficially look a bit like lymphadenopathy.

High levels of calcium in the blood are a good indication of hypercalcemia, but these levels may fluctuate. Calcium levels are influenced by other compounds in the blood that may combine with calcium.

Hypercalcemia is ultimately diagnosed by Calcium blood tests which should be done over the course of several months.

For women it could be as simple as wearing a pony tail or bun on the top of their head (twists the hair and irritates the scalp) feels like someone has been pulling on your hair. It also could be how the person sleeps at night. We dream every 1/2 hour and some of the dreams (we won't remember most) could have a person tossing and turning and pushing their head into the pillow which will also twist the hair and cause a sore spot. If you wake up and see your hair flattened on the top then 9 chances out of 10 you have been shoving your head into the pillow because you were restless. If it continues it's always wise to have a doctor look at it.

Patients cannot have foods high in iodine, such as edible seaweeds and kelps.

Thyrotoxicosis may also occur by the ingestion of excessive amounts of exogenous thyroid hormone in the form of thyroid hormone supplements such as the most widely used supplement levothyroxine, liothyronine, in weight-reducing dietary supplements that contain thyroid hormone, synthetic forms of T4 and T3 or thyroid extract (desiccated thyroid).

Increase calories.

Most hyperthyroidism is a result of an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders are more common in females.

Yes, there is often weight loss with hyperthyroidism due to increased metabolism of all the cells in the body. Some patients have mild hyperthyroidism that doesn't result in decreased weight. Rarely, some patients may experience weight gain, often due to increased ability to absorb nutrients from the gut.

Synthroid can increase metabolism and promote weight loss in people. This drug is a medication prescribed for people with hypothyroidism who cannot produce sufficient thyroid hormone for metabolic regulation.

It depends on what is causing it.

For example, if it is caused by cancer then obviously the thyroid needs to be destroyed or removed immediately.

However most cases of hyperthyroidism in developed countries are caused by an autoimmune condition called Graves disease. This can be treated with drugs that block the production of thyroid hormone, radioactive iodine that destroys the thyroid, or surgical removal of the thyroid gland. Unfortunately, none of these options treat the underlying problem, ie the production of autoantibodies against TSH receptors on the thyroid gland. Autoimmunity was only really discovered in the 1960s and as yet we have little idea how to treat immune system disorders.

In general, the condition of hypothyroidism will actually cause weight gain and synthroid generally corrects the problem. If your still struggling with weight gain, talk to your endo about switching to Armour.

I was recently diagnosed with the condition that causes Hypothyroidism; Hashimoto's Disease. It is an auto immune disease that attacks and kills your thyroid. As it is attacking your thyroid, it causes the thyroid to release high amounts of thyroid hormone at times (hyper) and not enough at other times (hypo). Hashimoto's Disease causes a lot of problems for people including infertility. If they get you on the right dose of hormone your fertility should improve. The fertility clinic I was going to found that I had Hypothyoridism and that I also had Hashimoto's Disease. If it wasn't for the fertility clinic, I wouldn't have been diagnosed for a few more years even tho my Thyroid Stimulating Hormone was ranging between 3.1 and 6.2 depending upon the day the labs were drawn. Check out the website www.stopthethyroidmadness for more information. I hope you get your conditions under control. That site sure helped me.

Hypokinetic Condition is a health problem caused partly by lack of exercise.

Endocrinologists specialize in the endocrine system, including thyroid. There are even thyroidolists that special in thyroid problems. Some endocrinologists specilaze in treatment of thyroid cancer.

Yes, but only if you keep up with your medication and keep it a the required dosage don't hire it so it makes you lose weight because it will not work. Also do not use weight loss pills they will affect your thyroxine and could make you quite ill.

Remember to eat properly, do exercise and have regular blood tests.

I am only 14 and I have under active thyroids. I was curious if this question was asked so I could answer it and I promise none of this is made up otherwise I would not have

written it.