Goitre

Causes of a goitre

A goitre can have several possible causes, including:

• an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
• an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
• hormone changes during puberty, pregnancy or the menopause
• not enough iodine in your diet
• taking some types of medicine, such as lithium, a medicine used to treat some mental health conditions
• an inflamed thyroid gland (thyroiditis)
• having radiation treatment to your neck or chest area, such as radiotherapy for neck cancer
• nodules or cysts within the thyroid – most are harmless, but they should be assessed
• thyroid cancer – a rare type of cancer in the UK

Anyone can develop a goitre, but the chances increase with age. Women are also more likely to develop a goitre.