Definition
A swollen and enlarged thyroid gland is also called a goiter. It occurs most frequently due to an insufficient supply of the trace element iodine (iodine deficiency). Thyroid diseases such as thyroiditis can also cause swelling.
In many cases, however, it is not the thyroid gland at all but enlarged lymph nodes, for example, that are responsible for swelling in the neck. A doctor can determine the cause by examination and, if necessary, further diagnostics. and swelling – What is behind it?
Causes
The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the front neck, to the left and right of the larynx. There are different causes for the thyroid gland to swell, so that it becomes enlarged tactile or even visible. The most common cause of such an enlargement of the thyroid gland is an inadequate supply of the trace element iodine through food (iodine deficiency goiter).
In rare cases, a swollen thyroid gland is caused by thyroiditis. This usually causes severe pain. In rare cases, a malignant cancer may also be present.
However, the swelling in the neck area can also have other causes. For example, a congestion of the blood with reduced pumping function of the heart (heart failure) can lead to swelling in the neck area. A much more common cause is a swelling that is not caused by the thyroid gland at all, but by other structures in the neck area.
The most common cause is swelling of the lymph nodes, which can occur particularly in the case of a respiratory tract infection and may also cause pain. In the case of a swollen thyroid gland, there are often no further symptoms at first. However, if there is severe pain, it may be an inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis).
Much more often in such a case, however, swollen lymph nodes are the cause in the context of a flu-like infection. This is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, cough, aching limbs or fatigue. In the case of swelling of the thyroid gland, the anatomical proximity to other structures can lead to various other complaints of the neck, depending on the severity of the infection.
For example, the thyroid gland can press on the windpipe from the outside and thus impair breathing. The esophagus may also be unable to perform its function of transporting food sufficiently, resulting in swallowing difficulties. In addition, thyroid diseases always involve disorders of thyroid function with over- or under-functioning.
Too little thyroid hormone production can lead to symptoms such as increased freezing, weight gain and constipation. In contrast, patients with hyperthyroidism complain of diarrhea, trembling and inner restlessness. The doctor can check the hormone levels in the blood by means of a blood test and thus assess the thyroid gland function, if this seems appropriate.
