[Anonymous]

#1033714

For anyone who can help: I have been diagnosed with having a goiter. I have had it for several years now. I was told however, that my thyroid functions normally. Yet recently I have been experiencing many of the symptoms that go along with Hypo– like weight gain, wanting to sleep all the time, no energy, swelling, scaly skin, eyes feeling like grit, and worst of all cold when it’s not that cold. I am very sensitive to cold. It drives me nuts. Does anyone know if it is possible to have a goiter and not have a problem with the thyroid? I went to my dr. today and she drew blood again, but I am afraid it will come back normal again. I am so tired of doctors telling me there is nothing wrong. Thanks to anyone who can help.

[Anonymous]

#1114707

There are a couple of issues here. One is the development of the goiter. The second is actually levels of thyroid hormone. Goiter is often a first sign of problems with the thyroid gland. But it is not uncommon for someone to develop a goiter without any changes in the activity levels of the thyroid, and without disease to the thyroid. This is sometimes referred to as “non-toxic goiter” because it doesn’t make you sick. It can be a sign that a problem could develop in the future, but if it is not currently making you ill, there isn’t much that your doctor is able to do right now to help unless the goiter has grown so large that it is unsightly, causes hoarseness or difficulty in swallowing. It those things happen, then there are some things your doctor can try to make it shrink.

The important thing to do is exactly what you ARE doing: have your thyroid function checked regularly to make sure that your thyroid function IS normal. How regularly? I don’t know. But you can talk this one over with your doctor.

I got my information about this from YOUR THYROID: A Home Reference, which is a book written in layman’s language by three doctors — Cooper, Ridgway and Wood. It might be a good idea for you to try to get this book yourself, and read up on this particular issue. It can set your mind to rest, perhaps, and it also might suggest questions that you can ask your own doctor.

I wish you good luck, and I hope you are feeling better soon,
Bobbi — NGDF Asst. Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1114708

Thank you so much for the information. It was a great help. I know that the goiter has not been a problem for at least three years. But it has only been in the last few months that swallowing has been a bit more difficult, and other symptoms have appeared. On exam yesterday, my dr. did not indicate that the goiter has gotten any larger, so that’s a releif. Thank you again.

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