Is goiter a sign of hyperthyroidism? The difference is here

What we usually call goiter is actually a term for an enlarged thyroid gland, but hyperthyroidism is definitely not goiter, which is obvious from the symptoms. Patients with early-stage hyperthyroidism may become very agitated and even experience hallucinations, whereas patients with big neck disease do not have these symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

1. Hyperthyroidism cannot be equated with big neck, because there are many diseases that can cause thyroid enlargement. More than 85% of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism will cause thyroid enlargement, and hyperthyroidism is only a part of them. Moreover, it has been proved that some people with hyperthyroidism do not have big neck. The reason why hyperthyroidism causes thyroid enlargement is that a thyroid growth-stimulating immunoglobulin is produced in the body of hyperthyroid patients. This substance will bind to the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor and stimulate the growth of thyroid cells, resulting in thyroid hypertrophy and an increase in the number of thyroid cells, which will cause a big neck.

2. First of all, patients with hyperthyroidism will have a series of symptoms, from which you can infer whether they suffer from hyperthyroidism. For example, in the early stages, the patient will be easily excited, mentally sensitive, have fine tremors when the tongue and two hands are raised and extended forward, be talkative and hyperactive, suffer from insomnia and tension, have difficulty concentrating, be anxious, irritable, suspicious, etc., and sometimes have hallucinations, or even submania. However, there are also patients who are taciturn and depressed, and the patient's tendon reflexes are active and the reflex time is shortened.

3. Big neck means enlarged thyroid gland, which is divided into endemic goiter and sporadic goiter. Endemic goiter is a symptom of iodine deficiency. In the early years, it was more common in remote inland areas of my country. In recent years, due to the popularization of iodized salt in my country, this local disease has been greatly alleviated and is not very common. With the progress of my country in recent years, there has been some improvement, but it is more serious in coastal areas.

Therefore, hyperthyroidism and goiter are both thyroid diseases, and the two cannot be equated. They are different in many aspects and require strict attention in treatment.