Thyroid goitre

• a goitre is a non-specific term that is used to describe any enlargement of the thyroid.
• it is seen as a midline neck swelling which moves up on swallowing.
• goitres are more common in women than men.
• presence of a goitre does not indicate that the thyroid gland is malfunctioning (1)
  
  • it may be associated with different thyroid functional states, namely:
    • hyperthyroid - a gland that is producing too much hormone
    • hypothyroid - producing less hormone
    • euthyroid - producing normal amounts of hormone
  • a goitre indicates that there is a lesion which is causing the abnormal growth of the thyroid. (1)
• thyroid disease includes thyroid enlargement and thyroid hormone dysfunction (2):
  • thyroid enlargement may be benign, resulting in nodules or goitre, or malignant in people with thyroid cancer
  • conditions causing thyroid dysfunction can be broadly divided into those that result in thyroid gland underactivity (hypothyroidism) or overactivity (thyrotoxicosis)
  • thyroid enlargement is common
    • about 15% of the UK population have clinically detectable goitres or thyroid nodules, and the lifetime risk of developing a thyroid nodule is around 5 to 10%
    • in many cases, thyroid glands harbouring malignancy are clinically indistinguishable from those that are not. Most people with a non-malignant enlarged thyroid gland and normal thyroid function need no treatment.

Reference:

1. Goiter (2006). Medical content of the American Thyroid Association
2. NICE. Thyroid disease: assessment and management. Guideline NG145. Published November 2019, last updated October 2023