Treatment for goiter
How is goiter treated? Treatment for goiter depends on how large your thyroid has grown, symptoms and what caused it. Treatments include: No treatment/"watchful waiting": If the goiter is small and isn’t bothering you, your healthcare provider may decide that it doesn’t need to be treated. However, they’ll carefully monitor your thyroid for any changes. Medications: Levothyroxine (Levothroid®, Synthroid®) is a thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Your provider will likely prescribe it if the cause of the goiter is an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Other medications are prescribed if the cause of the goiter is an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). These drugs include methimazole (Tapazole®) and propylthiouracil. Your provider might prescribe aspirin or a corticosteroid medication if the goiter is caused by inflammation. Radioactive iodine treatment: This treatment, used in cases of an overactive thyroid gland, involves taking radioactive iodine orally. The iodine goes to your thyroid gland and kills thyroid cells, which shrinks the gland. After radioactive iodine treatment, you’ll likely need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of your life. Surgery: Your provider may recommend surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland (thyroidectomy). You may need surgery if the goiter is large and causes problems with breathing and swallowing. Surgery is also sometimes used to remove nodules. Surgery must be done if cancer is present. Depending on the amount of thyroid gland removed, you may need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of your