Goitre

The main symptom of a goitre is a swelling at the front of the neck, which is usually painless.

A goitre usually appears at the lower front of the neck.

Goitres may look and feel either smooth or lumpy.

The swelling may sometimes just be on 1 side of your neck.

You may also have other symptoms including:

• a cough that does not go away
• a hoarse voice or voice changes
• feeling like something is stuck in your throat
• a wheezing noise when you breathe
• finding it hard to swallow or breathe

• you think you have a goitre

It's not usually serious, but it's best to get it checked.

Most goitres are small and do not cause any problems. Sometimes they do not need treatment.

You will usually need tests to find out what's causing your goitre, such as:

• blood tests
• an ultrasound scan
• taking a small sample from your thyroid gland using a small needle (biopsy)

If it is caused by a health condition like an underactive or overactive thyroid, it can usually be treated with medicines.

If your goitre is making breathing and swallowing difficult, you may have surgery to remove some or all of your thyroid.

A goitre happens when your thyroid gland is swollen.

Some reasons why your thyroid might be swollen include:

• an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
• an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
• harmless lumps (nodules) on the thyroid
• hormone changes during puberty, pregnancy or the menopause
• an inflamed thyroid gland (thyroiditis)
• having a condition with your immune system, like Grave's disease
• not enough iodine in your diet – this is rare in the UK
• thyroid cancer – this is rare

Symptoms of a goitre include a swelling at the front of the neck, a hoarse voice, a cough, and finding it hard to swallow or breathe.

Treatment for a goitre depends on the cause and may include medicines, or sometimes surgery. Sometimes no treatment is needed.

A goitre happens when your thyroid gland becomes swollen. Common causes include an overactive or underactive thyroid, or hormonal changes.