Thyroid gland is located 2 ~ 3 cm below Adam’s apple. Normal people’s thyroid gland is very thin and cannot be touched by hand.
If goiter is caused by some diseases, the thyroid gland can be touched on the neck, and sometimes the outline of the thyroid gland can even be seen, and the neck becomes obviously thicker.
So what are the reasons that can lead to [thick neck]?
1. Iodine deficiency
Simple goiter caused by iodine deficiency is well known as [macroneck disease], which is more common in mountainous areas. The [simplicity] mentioned here means that thyroid function (abbreviated as [thyroid function]) is normal and there is no hyperthyroidism.
In some areas that do not lack iodine, there will also be scattered cases of simple goiter, which may be related to smoking, infection and certain drugs and foods.
Treatment
Macroneck disease has been rare since the country implemented the salt iodization policy.
If goiter is not very serious, you only need to go to the hospital for reexamination once a year.
If goiter is especially serious, or causes compression on surrounding organs, causing difficulty in breathing, swallowing and pronunciation, surgical treatment is required.
2. Graves’ disease
People may be unfamiliar with the name Graves disease, in fact, most hyperthyroidism is caused by this disease. Patients with Graves disease often suffer from goiter, and some people only go to see a doctor because they find their necks thickening.
Treatment
There are three treasures for the treatment of Graves’ disease: drugs, surgery and iodine 131. Drugs include methimazole and propylthiouracil. Surgery has been rarely chosen, because iodine 131 has the same therapeutic effect as surgery and does not need surgery.
3. Thyroiditis
(1) Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is believed to be familiar to many people. Most hypothyroidism is caused by this disease. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can also cause goiter and thickening neck.
Treatment
If there is no hypothyroidism, it will be reviewed regularly, usually once a year. If hypothyroidism occurs, take levothyroxine for treatment.
(2) Acute thyroiditis
It is mainly caused by bacterial infection. In addition to goiter, there will also be fever and severe neck pain.
Treatment
Antibiotic treatment is required, and pus needs to be discharged through puncture or incision when suppuration occurs.
(3) Subacute thyroiditis
Middle-aged women are more likely to suffer from subacute thyroiditis and often have a history of upper respiratory tract infection before onset. Like acute thyroiditis, there will also be fever and neck pain.
Treatment
Subacute thyroiditis does not need to be treated with antibiotics, but can be treated with some antipyretic and analgesic drugs, mainly to relieve fever and pain.
A small number of patients will eventually suffer from hypothyroidism and need levothyroxine therapy.
4. Thyroid neoplasms
Both benign and malignant tumors can cause goiter.
Treatment
Surgical resection is the first choice.
Can thick neck return to normal?
- Simple goiter, Graves disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis may return to normal after treatment, perhaps the neck will always be so thick. Acute and subacute thyroiditis after cure, generally can return to normal. Simple goiter, thyroid tumor after surgery, thick neck will be significantly improved than before.