
|Articles|January 11, 2022
Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Goiter
Author(s)Saro Arakelians, PharmD
A goiter may be associated with an increase or decrease in thyroid hormones.
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Clinical Pearl of the Day: Goiter
A goiter is the irregular growth of the thyroid gland.
Insight:
- The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple.
- A goiter may be an overall enlargement of the thyroid or it may be the result of irregular cell growth that forms 1 or more lumps (nodules) in the thyroid.
- A goiter may be associated with no change in thyroid function or with an increase or decrease in thyroid hormones.
- 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, goiters are caused by conditions that change thyroid function or factors that affect thyroid growth.
- Symptoms may include fatigue, sensitivity to cold, sleepiness, dry skin, constipation, muscle weakness, and others.
- Risk factors may include being female, age, and family history of goiter.
- Treatment includes Levoxyl, Cytomel, Tapazole, which will increase or decrease the hormone levels, depending on the treatment plan chosen.
Sources:
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