How much do you know about goitre and its most significant causes or complications? Although most people have heard of the condition, the fact that it’s thyroid-related isn’t even something of mainstream interest in most cases. However, when this disorder becomes serious, it definitely causes enough risks to get noticed fast.
Is Goitre Really Dangerous?
According to the Mayo Clinic, even if goiter isn’t necessarily dangerous by itself, the condition that caused it may be. Since iodine insufficiency is rarely the cause of enlarged thyroid-caused health problems these days, the next most prevalent cause is hyper- or hypo-thyroidism – both very serious conditions that could spell disaster, if they’re not handled properly.
Hyperthyroidism, in particular, as the experts at Medical News Today can attest, is capable of leading to a number of debilitating complications. If left untreated, it can cause osteoporosis (brittle bones), sensitivity to light, double vision and other eye problems, as well as thyrotoxic crisis and serious heart problems. The latter can include palpitations and congestive heart failure, which causes the heart to be unable to circulate enough blood for the entire body.
While all these problems can be treated, severe hyperthyroidism symptoms are not pleasant, and it’s usually a much more productive course of action to treat the condition before it becomes dangerous, according to experts at the Endocrineweb.
Countering the Problem at Its Core
Goitre is already a serious sign that your thyroid-related problems are starting to get out of hand. Treating it, along with its main cause, is of paramount importance.
Before doing anything else, consider having a check-up and visiting an endocrine specialist to find out the extent of the problem, and discover the underlying cause of the goitre. Depending on the cause, treatments can include the administration of synthetic replacements for the main hormone, anti-thyroid hormone drugs, or even just an additional intake of iodine.