Goiters and the Thyroid, Plus Natural Options

It's Goiter discussion time boys & girls!

I know, I know, you are asking yourself, "What the hey is a goiter?"
Well, if you have been so lucky as to avoid this unpleasant thing that leads to a host of other unpleasant things, now you must prepare to be enlightened! Let's start with legitimate sources for our definition.

The Mayo Clinic defines a goiter as the following:
Goiter (GOI-tur) is an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck just below your Adam's apple. Although goiters are usually painless, a large goiter can cause a cough and make it difficult for you to swallow or breathe.
The most common cause of goiter 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 that develop in the gland itself.
Treatment depends on the size of the goiter, your symptoms and the underlying cause. Small goiters that aren't noticeable and don't cause problems usually don't need treatment.

Thank you Mayo Clinic!

Goiters are warnings, they are your bodies way of saying something is not right. This means we need to seek help if a goiter is suspected, even when they are small, they need to be monitored regularly by a doctor specializing in Endocronology. The reason being is that, while many goiters are benign, they can become cancerous.
I have included some pictures down below, to show you what a goiter looks like. 
 (Warning, if you have a queasy and or delicate constitution, you may want to skip the pics that follow. They are important though, so try to view them.

Here it is:
                    

This is what it can look like on a person:

                                    

                                            
 Goiters can effect both men and women, they begin small but as the thyroid worsens, goiters begin to swell and make their presence rather obvious. To reiterate: It is not a good idea to leave goiters untreated as they can lead to cancer.
                           
A goiter can also be signaled by bulging eyes:

          They can be a pretty harrowing experience to live through. Along with the swelling there can be extreme fatigue, nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalances, rapid weight gain or loss, a feeling of tightness or discomfort around neck, difficulty swallowing, voice changes, digestion issues, depression, (The list could go on but I will stop here for now because this leads to graves & hashimoto's which was in an earlier post.) when a goiter becomes too enlarged and or cancerous, surgery is required. (Warning, next pic is VERY medically graphic)

              

   Who can get a goiter? Well read next what the Mayo Clinic has to say about that:

Goiters can affect anyone. They may be present at birth and occur at any time throughout life, although they're more common after age 40. Some common risk factors for goiter 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 goiter.
• Being female. Because women are more prone to thyroid disorders, they're also more likely to develop goiters.
• Your age. Your chances of developing a goiter increase with age.
• 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 immunosuppressants, antiretrovirals, the heart drug amiodarone (Cordarone, 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. 

• Thyroid Goiter Treatments

  Written by James Norman MD, FACS, FACE

  Thyroid Goiter Treatments

  Most small- to moderate-sized goiters can be treated with thyroid hormone in the form of a pill. By supplying thyroid hormone in this fashion, the pituitary will make less TSH, which should result in stabilization in size of the gland.

  This technique often will not cause the size of the goiter to decrease but will usually keep it from growing any larger. Patients who do not respond to thyroid hormone therapy are often referred for surgery if it continues to grow.
  
  A more common indication for surgical removal of an enlarged thyroid is to remove those glands that are large enough to cause compression on other structures in the neck, such as the trachea and esophagus.

  These patients will typically complain of a cough, a slight change in voice, or nighttime choking episodes because of the way that the gland compresses the trachea while sleeping.

  The x-ray on the right shows how an enlarged right thyroid lobe has moved the trachea to the patient's left. The trachea (outlined in light yellow) should be straight from the mouth down to the lungs. But in this patient, it is compressed and displaced far to the left.

  The enlarged gland can even compress the blood vessels of the neck, which is also an indication for its removal. You may read more about this on our page examining sub-sternal thyroids.
  
  As always, the suspicion of malignancy in an enlarged thyroid is an indication for removal of the thyroid. There is often a dominant nodule within a multinodular goiter that can cause concern for cancer. Remember, the incidence of malignancy within a multinodular goiter is usually significantly less than 5%. If the nodule is cold on thyroid scanning, then it may be slightly higher than this. For the vast majority of patients, surgical removal of a goiter for fear of cancer is not warranted.
  
  Another reason (although not a very common one) to remove a goiter is for cosmetic reasons. Often, a goiter gets large enough that it can be seen as a mass in the neck. When other people begin to notice the mass, it is usually big enough to begin causing compression of other vital neck structures—but not always. Sometimes, the large goiter causes no symptoms other than being a cosmetic problem. But if it's big enough to be seen by your neighbors, you will need medications or surgery, or it will most likely continue to get bigger.

  
  

  http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/thyroid-goiter

  
  

  
  

   ( I found this amazing site with all this awesome info for natural options, I put all that I could down below, and left a link underneath.)
  

  Natural Goiter Remedies and Thyroid Treatment

  Whatever the cause of a goiter, several natural remedies serve as effective goiter and thyroid treatments. Apple cider vinegar taken daily works to shrink a goiter and regulate the body’s systems naturally. Kelp powder, bladderwrack and iodine supplements are also effective options for treating a goiter. Likewise, minimizing stress and participating in calming activities such as yoga help relieve fatigue and adrenal stimulation and may also help diminish a goiter or thyroid issue.
  
  Hypothyroid diet should comprise of certain essential nutrients. These nutritional factors play an important role in increasing thyroid function.
  
  Hypothyroid diet and Iodine
  
  Iodine is a very vital mineral required for the proper functioning of the body. Iodine should form an essential part of a hypothyroid diet as it enhances thyroid function. Thyroid hormones constitute iodine as a major component and its deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism. Although iodine deficiency is the major cause of hypothyroidism worldwide, it isn’t the main cause for the disease in United States. In US, the primary cause of hypothyroidism is autoimmune disease. As a part of your hypothyroid diet, you should have foods rich in iodine such as iodized salt, seaweeds and seafoods, salt water fish, celtic sea salt, sushi etc.
  Selenium in your hypothyroid diet
  Selenium is found in the thyroid gland and is an inseparable component of many enzymes that are necessary for proper functioning of the thyroid glands. Selenium can help improve the immune system and fertility human beings. Having foods rich in selenium have been known to shown some very impressive results in people with hypothyroidism and selenium deficiency. The following food would be ideal to supplement the selenium requirement of your body.
  Meat
  Chicken
  Tuna
  Dairy Products
  Garlic and Onion
  Salmon
  
  

  Avoid Goitrogenic foods

  You should steer clear of goitrogenic foods while planning your hypothyroidism diet. These foods suppress the production of thyroid hormone and increase the risks of hypothyroidism. Goitrogenic foods can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb iodine and as a result, your thyroid glands swell resulting in goiter. Bamboo shoots, soybeans, canola oil etc. are some goitrogenic foods that one with hypothyroidism should avoid at all costs. Some goitrogenic foods that you should avoid at all costs to plan a healthy hypothyroid diet are as follows:
  Cabbage, broccoli
  Turnips
  Rutabaga
  Mustard
  Spinach
  Brussels Sprouts
  Peaches
  Strawberries
  Cauliflower
  Hale
  Pears
  Millet
  Garden Kres
  Foods with Gluten
  Garden Kres
  Tempeh
  Bamboo shoots
  Soybeans and related products
  Canola Oil
  Horseradish
  Bok Choy
  Babassu
  Goitrogenic Chemicals should be excluded from a Hypothyroid diet
  There are some chemicals that have been known to cause goitre. You should avoid Amiodarone, Oxazolidines, Propylthiouracil etc. as these are known to hinder the functioning of thyroid glands. Some other goitrogenic chemicals to be avoided for hypothyroidism include:
  Lithium
  Oxazolidines
  Iopanoic acid
  Minocycline (MN)
  Propylthiouracil
  Thioureylene
  Sulfadimethoxine
  Carbamazepine
  Phenobarbitone
  
  Hypothyroidism diet: How many times per day should you eat?
  
  Ones suffering from hypothyroidism should take smaller frequent meals. As stated earlier, it is advisable to take around 7 meals per day. This not only helps control hypothyroidism but also helps you lose weight and improve your metabolism. Have healthy snacks including fruits at regular intervals.
  Having a proper balanced hypothyroid diet not only helps control hypothyroidism but also helps in improving your body’s metabolism. Hypothyroidism leads to low metabolism and therefore, it is necessary to have foods that help in proper functioning of your thyroid glands and help improve your metabolism. The aforementioned tips on hypothyroidism should help you plan your hypothyroid diet in a better, healthier way
  Toxins are of particular concern, especially those created from petrochemicals. Many plastics (all those bottles of water we drink), pesticides, fertilizers, dioxin, body care products, not to mention what’s in the air and tap water we ingest, all contain substances that mimic our own body’s estrogen. These xenoestrogens are powerful endocrine disruptors, affecting the balance of all our hormones, and are thought to contribute to the rise in autoimmune conditions in general (Plapp, 2002) and to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis specifically (Shames, private conversation; May, 2007). Mercury (from fish and dental amalgams) and fluoride (in toothpastes and water) are also endocrine disruptors. Mercury amalgams, especially, since they sit so close to the throat, can pose a serious threat to the thyroid gland, making mercury detoxification imperative (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.).
  proteins: Julia Ross, M.A. advises 20 grams of lean animal protein (3-4 oz.) at each meal (1999; p. 170). Also, shoot for 1-2 oz. at snack time. Cold-water fish is a good choice, as it also contains Omega-3 fatty acids. Tempeh is a good source of vegetable protein, and whey protein, though more processed, can be very useful. It contains immunoglobulins and L-Glutamine that can help heal a distressed digestive tract.
  Antioxidant-rich foods: “Push the antioxidants,” says Richard Shames, M.D. (private conversation, May, 2007). Antioxidant-rich foods are necessary to combat free radical damage caused by the inflammatory process. Emphasis on vitamin-A containing foods is especially helpful, since vitamin A is often deficient in people with any type of autoimmune condition (Plapp, 2002). Other nutrients with antioxidant qualities often deficient in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis include vitamins C and E, iodine, zinc and selenium. (A more complete listing of foods and their nutrient content is available at www.whfoods.org)
  Vitamin A-rich foods: Raw carrots; cooked calf’s liver; lightly cooked spinach, kale, collard greens and Swiss chard; winter squashes; red bell peppers; apricots; cantaloupe; sweet potato
  Vitamin C-rich foods: Red bell peppers; parsley; broccoli; citrus fruits; romaine
  Vitamin E-rich foods: Lightly steamed mustard greens and Swiss chard; sunflower seeds; almonds
  Iodine-rich foods: Seaweeds, especially dulse and kelp (be sure it’s very high quality); seafood (free of mercury and wild, not farmed)
  Zinc-rich foods: Oysters; crab; beef (organic and/or grass-fed); sesame and pumpkin seeds
  Selenium-rich foods: Crimini mushrooms; cod; shrimp; halibut; snapper; oats; sunflower seeds; brown rice.
  Healthy Fats: 4-6 tablespoons per day of the good fats found in avocados, nuts and seeds (especially pumpkin, chia and flax), organic butter, olive oil and coconut and its oil. Coconut is very thyroid friendly. The lauric acid it contains is soothing to the endocrine system (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.) and its medium-chain fatty acids digest quickly and provide a superior energy source for the body. It can also be helpful for weight loss (Calbom et al, 2003). The milk from the coconut can be used in place of other milks.
  Vegetables: At least 4 cups per day (Ross, 1999; p. 171). Choose a wide variety of colorful veggies and eat them lightly cooked or raw. Note: Avoid eating the brassica family raw, as these inhibit thyroid function. Brassicas include broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, etc. Don’t overdo these, in general, though they should be fine in moderation (Shames, private conversation, May, 2007).
  Carbohydrates: Go easy on the fruit, grains and starchy vegetables. Two 1/2 cup servings of fruit per day, plus 1/2 to 1 cup, one or two times per day, of whole grains or starchy vegetables (Ross, 1999; p. 171). Note: Soaking grains (excepting brown rice) for seven hours in water with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice will make them much more digestible – very important for those with impaired digestion, which is common with hypothyroid.
  Water: At least 8 cups pure, filtered water daily. Avoid water with chlorine and fluoride, as these are halogens and compete with iodine, the halogen in the body. This can disrupt thyroid function. And remember, it is not wise to purchase water in plastic bottles.
  
  THINGS TO AVOID
  
  Aspartame: Aside from its other known toxic effects, Aspartame appears to be particularly problematic for the thyroid gland (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.).
  Iodized Salt: Even though the thyroid gland depends on iodine to produce hormones, this is not the way to get it. It is not possible to eat enough salt, in the first place, to get the daily recommended dosage of iodine (150mcg). Nor is it advisable to consume such a highly processed product, the grocery store versions of which often contain aluminum and dextrose (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.). Sea salt, unprocessed and containing trace minerals, is a far better choice.
  Unsaturated Oils (including canola oil): There is speculation that these contribute to hypothyroidism. Whether it is because they contain so much inflammation-promoting Omega-6 fatty acids, or because they are generally rancid even before they are bottled (or go rancid in their clear glass bottles) is not known.
  Soy: Also disruptive to the endocrine system, and considered a toxin by some, is soy, though it is the isolated and concentrated isoflavones that pose the greatest risk, according to Ken Blanchard, M.D. (2004; p. 190). He points out that infants fed soy formulas are more likely to develop autoimmune conditions later in life than those who are not. Depending on soy as a primary source of protein is not recommended. Even small amounts have been shown to have powerful hormone disrupting powers and can lower concentrations of T3 (Ross, 1999; pp. 204-205). The exception to this is fermented soy foods, such as tempeh, natto and miso.
  
  SUPPLEMENTATION
• I am adding this in here because I recently found out that vitamin D levels need to be checked, as they can cause problems for the thyroid and adrenal glands, as well as contributing to aches, pain, slow exercise recovery, tiredness, mood swings, depression, and weight gain. Do consider being tested for it.
  
  Because Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis can result in reduced digestive capabilities, it is a good idea to support digestion with enzymes, HCl and probiotics when necessary and to supplement with extra quantities of the nutrients most often found lacking with this condition.
  High potency, high bioavailability multi-vitamin and mineral: Take as directed, preferably in divided doses.
  Extra antioxidants: Take as directed daily (Shames et al, 2006; p. 97).
  Extra essential fatty acids: From fish or flax; 1000-2000mg per day, two divided doses (Shames et al, 2006; p. 97; Ross, 1999; p. 245).
  Extra B vitamins: Either in supplement form or, preferably, use nutritional yeast.
  Calcium: 250-300mg (1-2 at bedtime) (Ross, 1999; p. 245). Calcium and iron need to be taken two hours before or after thyroid medications so as not to interfere with its absorption.
  Magnesium: 200mg 2 times daily (Ross, 1999; p. 245; Shames et al, 2006; p. 97).
  Selenium: 200 mcg per day has been shown to reduce thyroid autoantibodies (Gartner et al, 2002; Turker et al, 2006; Duntas et al, 2003). NOTE: Do not exceed 40mcg daily if pregnant (Balch, 2000; p. 452).
  Iodine: If the multiple doesn’t contain 150-200 mcg iodine, kelp supplementation — 2-3 grams daily — should provide adequate amounts (Balch, 2000; p. 451). Dr. Mercola (in Shomon, N.D.) recommends 5 grams daily. (Supplementing directly with iodine is very controversial, with physicians obtaining erratic results, and should be either avoided or done with extreme caution until more is known about it.) Daily low-dose iodine supplementation (200mcg a day) has been shown to reduce antibody levels in people with Hashimoto’s (Rink et al, 1999).
  Vitamin D3: Often low in those with autoimmune conditions, it is necessary for optimal immune function (Hayes et al, 2003). It is also required for thyroid hormone production (Shames, in Shomon, 2007). 1000-2000mg daily to bring up levels. Maintenance doses will vary.
  L-Tyrosine: One of the thyroid’s hormone building blocks. Many sources recommend 500mg twice daily; levels of this amino acid are rarely low enough to warrant supplementation (Shames et al, 2006; p. 108).
  Chromium: 200mcg daily, if it’s not included in the multiple (Ross, 1999; p. 245).
  Iron: If testing shows a deficiency. Calcium and iron need to be taken two hours before or after thyroid medication so as not to interfere with its absorption.
  Zinc: If testing shows a deficiency. 50mg daily (Balch, 2000; p. 452).
  Thyroid glandulars: These have been shown to be very effective; 50-100mg twice daily. They are made from desiccated thyroid glands of either pigs or cows (use those from non-BSE cow-raising countries), from which most of the hormone has been removed. Dr. Shames likens them to decaffeinated coffee: there’s still a little bit in there (private conversation, May, 2007). Because of this, they also contain T1 and T2, other thyroid hormones that may exert a physiological effect.
  Additional supplements, recommended by Dr. Shames, are extra free-form amino acids daily (two 500mg capsules), taurine (two 500mg daily), and proteolytic enzymes for inflammation (2006; p. 97).
  Vegans may have to add the nutrients commonly missing in adequate amounts from an animal-free diet: extra B12, D, some L-Carnitine, zinc and selenium (Ross, 1999; p. 244).
  
  HERBS
  
  Many herbs are available (often combined in one supplement) to support overall endocrine function and the thyroid gland particularly. These include:
  Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
  Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
  Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)
  Coleus forskholii root
  Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
  Holy Basil Leaf (Ocimum sanctum)
  Maca root (not raw, as it’s a brassica). No research exists to date about its effect on the thyroid, but anecdotal evidence from www.thyroid.about.com (Shomon, 2007), and from some of the producers of maca products, suggest it has a beneficial effect on the thyroid. Since it is an adaptogenic, endocrine-balancing herb (Walker, 1998), this would not be surprising.
  Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
  The Shames’ recommend a Tibetan herbal product called Padma Basic (2006; p. 122).
  
  HOMEOPATHY
  
  Thyroidinum 6 times or 6c, three pellets under the tongue 3 times daily for one week, may be helpful to initiate thyroid balance (Shames et al, 2006; pp. 122-123).
  Calcarea carbonica may increase thyroid function (Balch, 2000; p. 452).
  
  OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
  
  Acupuncture may be very effective to support the thyroid (Ehrlich, 2006).
  Lymph massage (Bauman, in Shomon, N.D.) or exercise that includes gentle jumping
  Contrast hydrotherapy (hot and cold applications) to the neck and throat may stimulate thyroid function (Ehrlich, 2006).
  Stress reduction
  Overall detoxification
  Good sleep
  Exercise, to tolerance
  
  http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/hypothyroidism-discussions/general-support/11178381-best-drug-for-hypothyroidism