endemic goiter

Introduction

A high instance of diffuse goiter in particular geographic areas involving more than 10% of the population. Thyroid gland enlarge- ment usually peaks at puberty & is more prevalent in men than in women.

Etiology

• iodine deficiency
• goitrogens

Epidemiology

• common
• affects > 2 million people worldwide
• most prevalent in mountain areas
  • Alps
  • Himalayas
  • Andes
  • other areas remote from sea

Pathology

• follicular cell hypertrophy & hyperplasia
• enlargement of thyroid gland.

Laboratory

• decreased serum T3, T4
• increased serum TSH

Management

• > during early stages of endemic goiter, iodine replacement results in regression of the enlarged thyroid gland, but later during the course of the disease, it is without effect on gland size

More general terms

• diffuse goiter; simple goiter; colloid goiter

Additional terms

• goitrogen