Goiters and Iodine: Thyroid Support

Goiter is a term used to describe an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The main cause of goiter is believed to be an iodine deficiency, but goiters are not necessarily associated with iodine deficiency and they could be due to some other thyroid problem.

The thyroid gland is responsible for removing iodine from the blood to form thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland can be enlarged due to excessive hormone (thyroxin) production, too little hormone production, or even normal hormone production. The three types of goiters are:

• Hypothyroid goiter: Hypothyroid goiter is formed when there is an iodine deficiency in the blood and thyroid hormone levels are low. The pituitary gland in the brain senses this deficiency and tells the thyroid gland to produce more hormones to fulfill the deficiency. The thyroid gland in turn grows in size to absorb more iodine. Thus iodine deficiency is one of the main causes of goiter and other thyroid problems. This can be prevented if effective thyroid support is sought.

• Hyperthyroid goiter: Hyperthyroid goiters are formed due to an overactive thyroid gland that secretes too much hormone into the bloodstream. This is also called a toxic goiter, and is caused by a neoplasm, inflammation, or autoimmune diseases such as Grave��s disease. Grave��s disease is a disease in which the antibodies responsible for protecting the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances attack the thyroid gland and cause over stimulation.

• Euthyroid goiter:Euthyroid goiters are non-toxic goiters formed when dietary iodine is slightly inadequate but still cause the thyroid gland to enlarge and produce more thyroxin. This thyroid problem is most commonly found in females during puberty, pregnancy, and the menopause.

Besides improper thyroid support due to imbalances of iodine, there are many other causes of goiters and other thyroid problems, including tumors and infections. Goiters can also be caused by heavy metal poisoning, environmental pollutants, and through the side-effects of certain drugs.

Goiters are also one of the symptoms of a number of thyroid problems icluding: hashimoto's thyroiditis, graves-basedow disease, congenital hypothyroidism, and neoplasm of the thyroid. Even today there are many countries, which are unable to fortify food stuff with iodine and provide thyroid support due to lack of economic resources. Although people suffering from goiters are found worldwide, it is rarely found in developed countries these days, though other thyroid problems are common.

Symptoms and Treatment of Thyroid Problems

Some of the symptoms of thyrroid problems are fatigue, weight gain, heavy menstrual bleeding in women, dry skin, emotional upsets, loss of concentration, irritability, and depression.

Dietary iodine is often all that is needed to provide thyroid support and prevent goiters. Sufficient consumption of goitregens foods can treat goiter. The brassica family of vegetables contains high levels of iodine, as does kelp. Consumption of iodized salt can also provide thyroid support and prevent future problems.

People with goiter problem are also advised to take thyroid hormone replacement medications such as thyroxin. Besides, surgical removal or radioactive iodine treatments may also be helpful in the treatment of goiter. Iodized oils, in the form of injection can be used to treat iodine-deficiency goiter.