Causes of Goiter (Visible Thyroid Enlargement)

There are many causes of thyroid enlargement, although one of the most common is iodine deficiency. If we do not get enough iodine, the thyroid can't make and release enough hormone (thyroxine and T-3 — both of which contain iodine) and it enlarges in response to excess stimulation from the pituitary.

Other causes of goiter include:

• Graves' disease
• Hashimoto's disease
• Multinodular goiter
• Solitary thyroid nodules
• Thyroid cancer
• Pregnancy
• Inflammation

To learn about these disorders, follow the link below.