Patient Story: from Alaska for Care
As Lonnie Lamoreaux carried on with life in Anchorage, Alaska, it became more difficult to hold conversations without wheezing or coughing. His hometown doctor said there nothing could be done there.
A goiter is another way to describe an enlarged thyroid gland. While some goiters grow because of too much thyroid hormone, most occur when the thyroid is functioning properly.
Goiters are much more common in women than in men, and they occur most often in women over age 40. A family history of goiter also increases your chance of having one. If you have an enlarged thyroid, the specialists at Henry Ford Health can help.
You may have a thyroid goiter without having any symptoms. Many patients experience symptoms because the size of the gland puts pressure on other parts of the neck.
As it grows larger, a thyroid goiter may cause symptoms such as:
Your doctor may diagnose an enlarged thyroid gland during a routine physical exam. Goiters are also sometimes found on imaging tests, like an MRI or CT scan.
After a goiter is diagnosed, the next step is to determine what’s causing the thyroid to grow. Tests may include:
Your doctor may recommend thyroid surgery if the goiter causes symptoms or extends into the chest.
As Lonnie Lamoreaux carried on with life in Anchorage, Alaska, it became more difficult to hold conversations without wheezing or coughing. His hometown doctor said there nothing could be done there.
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