A Goiter is an abnormal enlargement of  thyroid gland.  thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of neck just below  Adam's apple. 

The most common cause of goiters worldwide is a lack of iodine in the diet. In the United States, where the use of iodized salt is common, a goiter is more often due to the over- or underproduction of thyroid hormones or to nodules in the gland itself.

Treatment depends on the size of the goiter, your symptoms and the cause. Small goiters that aren't noticeable and don't cause problems usually don't need treatment.

Symptoms of Goiter 

Not all goiters cause signs and symptoms. When signs and symptoms do occur they may include:

• A swelling at the base of your neck that may be particularly obvious when you shave or put on makeup
• A tight feeling in your throat
• Coughing
• Hoarseness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty breathing

Causes of Goiter 

 Thyroid gland produces two main hormones — thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3). These hormones circulate in  bloodstream and help regulate the metabolism. They maintain the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control body's temperature, influence your heart rate, and help regulate the production of proteins.

 Thyroid gland also produces calcitonin — a hormone that helps regulate the amount of calcium in blood.

Pituitary gland and hypothalamus control the rate at which T-4 and T-3 are produced and released.

Several things can cause your thyroid gland to enlarge. Some of the most common are:

• Iodine deficiency. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, and is found primarily in seawater and in the soil in coastal areas. In the developing world, people who live inland or at high elevations are often iodine deficient and can develop goiters when the thyroid enlarges in an effort to obtain more iodine. Iodine deficiency may be made worse by a diet high in hormone-inhibiting foods, such as cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.

  In countries where iodine is routinely added to table salt and other foods, a lack of dietary iodine isn't usually the cause of goiters.

• Graves' disease. A goiter can sometimes occur when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). In someone who has Graves' disease, antibodies produced by the immune system mistakenly attack the thyroid gland, causing it to produce excess thyroxine. This overstimulation causes the thyroid to swell.

• Hashimoto's disease. A goiter can also result from an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Like Graves' disease, Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder. But instead of causing your thyroid to produce too much hormone, Hashimoto's damages your thyroid so that it produces too little.

  Sensing a low hormone level, your pituitary gland produces more TSH to stimulate the thyroid, which then causes the gland to enlarge.

• Multinodular goiter. In this condition, several solid or fluid-filled lumps called nodules develop in both sides of  thyroid, resulting in overall enlargement of the gland.
• Solitary thyroid nodules. In this case, a single nodule develops in one part of thyroid gland. Most nodules are noncancerous (benign) and don't lead to cancer.
• Thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is far less common than benign thyroid nodules. A biopsy of a thyroid nodule is very accurate in determining whether it's cancerous.
• Pregnancy. A hormone produced during pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), may cause  thyroid gland to enlarge slightly.
• Inflammation. Thyroiditis is an inflammatory condition that can cause pain and swelling in the thyroid. It may also cause the body to produce too much or too little thyroxine.

Risk Factors of Goiter 

Goiters can affect anyone. They may be present at birth and occur at any time throughout life. Some common risk factors for goiters include:

• A lack of dietary iodine : People living in areas where iodine is in short supply and who don't have access to iodine supplements are at high risk of goiters.
• Being female : Because women are more prone to thyroid disorders, they're also more likely to develop goiters.
• Age :  Goiters are more common after age 40.
• Medical history : A personal or family history of autoimmune disease increases your risk.
• Pregnancy and menopause :  For reasons that aren't entirely clear, thyroid problems are more likely to occur during pregnancy and menopause.
• Certain medications : Some medical treatments, including the heart drug amiodarone (Pacerone, others) and the psychiatric drug lithium (Lithobid, others), increase your risk.
• Radiation exposure : Your risk increases if you've had radiation treatments to your neck or chest area or you've been exposed to radiation in a nuclear facility, test or accident.

Complications of Goiter 

Small goiters that don't cause physical or cosmetic problems aren't a concern. But large goiters can make it hard to breathe or swallow and can cause a cough and hoarseness.

Goiters that result from other conditions, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, may be associated with a number of symptoms, ranging from fatigue and weight gain to unintended weight loss, irritability and trouble sleeping.

Homeopathic Medicine for Goiter 

Iodum – For Hyperactive Thyroid and Accelerated Metabolic Functions : Iodum is one of the top listed medicines for goiter. It is used when the thyroid gland is enlarged, hyperactive and the metabolic functions of the body are accelerated. The thyroid gland may also be indurated and hard along with its enlargement. Due to the increased metabolic rate, the person in need of Iodum for goiter goes on losing weight even after eating a lot. The appetite is increased, but the person does not gain weight. Another symptom to look out for prescription of Iodum as one of the best medicines for goiter is that the person feels very hot and constantly in need of cool air. Mentally, such persons are nervous, restless, hurried and impulsive, with extreme mental excitement. Iodum is also considered the most effective among medicines for goiter where tachycardia is present with a rapid, accelerated pulse rate. Palpitations may arise from the least exertion. Iodum also helps treat women with goiter where chronic amenorrhoea is present. Another set of symptoms for prescribing Iodum in goiter includes chronic diarrhea with weakness, bulging/protruding eyes, deep and hoarse voice.

Calcarea Carb – For Enlarged Thyroid and Slow Metabolic Functions : Calcarea Carb is helpful in cases of goiter where the thyroid gland is enlarged but underactive, with a slowed down metabolism. For using Calcarea Carb in goiter, the hallmark symptom is sluggishness of all body functions. Tiredness, slowness on the mental and physical plane are marked. There are other varying symptoms that guide use of Calcarea Carb as one of the top medicines for goiter. The first among these is obesity. A person who needs prescribing Calcarea Carb is fat, obese and goes on gaining weight even with a normal appetite. The second important symptom is chilliness with marked intolerance to cold. Another major symptom pertains to goiter in women: women suffering from goiter having profuse and prolonged menstrual cycles are ideal candidates for using Calcarea Carb. Persons who need Calcarea Carb usually suffer chronic constipation as well. The constitutional symptoms that are important to look out for include profuse sweating over the scalp, craving for eggs and indigestible things such as chalk, lime and pencils, and aversion to fatty food.

Spongia – For Goiter with Swollen, Enlarged Thyroid Gland : Spongia is highly recommended among medicines for goiter where the thyroid gland is much swollen and enlarged. The chin, too, swells along with the thyroid gland. Applying pressure on the thyroid gland causes pain in such cases. Spongia is also one of the most helpful medicines for goiter with suffocative episodes appearing from time to time. Dry, tickling cough in goiter patients can also be managed well with medicine Spongia.

Natrum Mur – Constitutional Remedy for Goiter : Natrum Mur is rated among the most effective constitutional medicines for goiter. If selected as per unique constitutional symptoms, Natrum Mur holds great promise of recovery for goiter patients. Natrum Mur works best in reserved, introvert personalities that are prone to depression, weeping spells and feelings of loneliness. Irritability, restlessness and nervousness are high among such subjects. Physically, they appear emaciated, with the neck showing maximum thinning. Excessive exhaustion and weakness accompanies the condition. The eyes also show protrusion. Natrum Mur is quite successful in dealing with tachycardia and palpitations due to goiter as well. Palpitations are violent, shaking the whole body and they get worse with emotions or exertion. In women with goiter, Natrum Mur works as one of the most reliable medicines for goiter and can help regulate irregular periods. It must be noted, however, that most people prescribed Natrum Mur show marked intolerance to heat and have trouble tolerating the sun. Extra craving for salt may also be felt by persons who need Natrum Mur for goiter treatment.

Fucus Vesiculosus  : Fucus Vesiculosus is a highly effective remedy for goiter. It yields excellent results in obese persons suffering from enlarged thyroid gland (goiter). Fucus Vesiculosus is also one of the most effective medicines for goiter of non-toxic nature. e.t.c

RL-10 :  For Tumor/Cyst  - https://bit.ly/3e4DO3w

OR AS DIRECTED BY PHYSICIAN