Thyroid Disease Symptoms: Enlarged Thyroid Gland

Thyroid gland, one of the endocrine glands, is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the frontal portion of neck. The hormones secreted by the thyroid gland regulate growth, metabolism, sexual development and many other important functions of our body. Thyroxine, triiodothyronine and calcitonin are the three hormones secreted by thyroid gland. These hormones travel through the blood and reach the body cells. Oversecretion or undersecretion of these hormones lead to thyroid diseases. Hyperthyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones more than required and hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland does not secrete enough thyroid hormones required by the body.

Causes of Enlarged Thyroid Gland

Many of the thyroid diseases result into enlarged thyroid gland. Enlargement of the thyroid gland can be easily noticed and is referred to as goiter. It is a common symptom of thyroid diseases. The list of diseases that cause enlarged thyroid gland are given below.

Graves' Disease
It is an autoimmune disease, also called toxic diffuse goiter and is the most common cause. Autoimmune disorders are those conditions where the immune system of the body works against the healthy tissues and cells of the body. Graves' disease creates abnormal antibodies in the body that stimulate the thyroid gland to oversecrete thyroid hormones. As a result the thyroid gland enlarges and leads to goiter. Graves' disease is a type of hyperthyroidism.

Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis refers to the inflammation of the thyroid gland. There are different types of thyroiditis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common thyroiditis observed in people suffering from thyroiditis.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Even Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder and is a common cause of hypothyroidism in teenagers. The immune system of the body attacks the thyroid gland and prevents it from producing the thyroid hormones in the required amount. The thyroid gland tries to secrete hormones and ends up with inflammation of itself. This causes enlarged thyroid gland.

Thyroid Nodules
Solitary thyroid nodules developed on the thyroid lobes can result in enlargement of the thyroid gland. These nodules are benign in many cases and do not develop into cancer.

Iodine Deficiency
Iodine is a very important nutrient required for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Thus, iodine is added in the salt we use for cooking. Deficiency of iodine leads to over-stimulation of the thyroid gland and this leads to formation of goiter.

Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is a very rare thyroid disease. The cause of thyroid cancer is yet unclear, but the abnormal multiplication of the thyroid cells creates a lump-like structure that can be felt below the skin where the thyroid gland is situated.

Enlarged thyroid gland is the most common symptom of thyroid problems. Other than an enlarged thyroid, the other symptoms of thyroid diseases are given below:

Symptoms of Thyroid Gland Problems - Hyperthyroidism

• Nervous, moody and weak feeling
• Increased sweating with red itchy skin
• Irregular heartbeat or breathing problem
• Loss of weight
• Presence of Goiter
• Fatigue
• Hair loss

Symptoms of Thyroid Gland Problems - Hypothyroidism

• Constipation
• Weak muscles
• Depression
• Sensitive to cold
• Increased cholesterol level
• Fatigue and sluggishness
• Sudden weight gain
• Husky voice
• Dry and brittle hair and fingernails
• Frequent muscle aches and cramps
• Problem with menstrual cycles

Symptoms of thyroid gland problems, including enlarged thyroid gland can be reduced with proper treatment. Causes of enlarged thyroid gland are various and it is necessary to diagnose the reason accurately for proper treatment.