{"id":834,"date":"2026-03-13T08:36:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T08:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thyroidaware.azinova.uk\/about-goiters-and-nodules\/"},"modified":"2026-06-08T12:17:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T12:17:26","slug":"about-goiters-and-nodules","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thyroidaware.azinova.uk\/za\/about-goiters-and-nodules\/","title":{"rendered":"About goiters and nodules"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The thyroid.<\/p>\n

About goiters and nodules<\/h1> <\/div>\n
\n
\n

A shortage of iodine in the diet is the world\u2019s number one cause of an enlarged thyroid (commonly known as \u201cgoiter\u201d).\u00b9 In fact, an estimated 0.7 billion people worldwide are affected by an thyroid hormones deficiency.\u00b2<\/p> <\/div>\n \n

\n\t
\n\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Facebook\"\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"LinkedIn\"\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"WhatsApp\"\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Email\"\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Copy\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tShare<\/span>\n\t\t\t\"\"\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

How to recognize a goiter<\/h3>\n

A goiter forms when the thyroid gland attempts to compensate for iodine deficiency and the associated low and\/or failed production of thyroid hormones. In this process, it gradually grows from its normal size.\u00b9<\/p>\n

A person with an immensely enlarged thyroid may have problems swallowing and breathing.\u00b3<\/p>\n

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommends the so-called \u201cneck check\u201d to help people recognize a possibly enlarged thyroid.\u2074<\/p>\n

Simple visual classification can be inaccurate \u2014 primarily due to the possibility of human error and variations in individual anatomy (e.g. a muscular neck can conceal an enlarged thyroid) \u2014 and should by no means serve as a substitute for a specific diagnosis by a doctor.<\/p>\n

How to recognize a nodule<\/h3>\n

Thyroid nodules are abnormal overgrowths of tissue in the thyroid gland.\u2075 Some people develop one nodule while others develop many.\u2075 Thyroid nodules are relatively common, with as many as half of all people having at least one nodule by the time they reach the age of 60.\u2075 Just as with goiter formation, the formation of thyroid nodules can be caused by insufficient iodine in the diet.\u2076<\/p>\n

Thyroid nodules are classified by scans as \u201chot\u201d, \u201cwarm\u201d or \u201ccold\u201d. If a nodule does not produce thyroid hormones then it will appear \u201ccold\u201d on the scan. Those that do produce thyroid hormones will show up darker and are called \u201chot\u201d. Approximately 85% of nodules are cold, 10% are warm and 5% are hot. Of these, 85% of cold nodules are benign (non-cancerous), as are 90% and 95% of warm and hot nodules benign, respectively.\u2077<\/p>\n

Initially, most thyroid nodules do not cause any noticeable symptoms.\u2076 They often go undiscovered until the next routine medical examination or on imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans or neck ultrasound, done for unrelated reasons.\u2076 As the thyroid nodules grow further, the following symptoms can occur (although this is rather rare):<\/p>\n