Nodular Goiter (नोड्यूलर गोइटर) एक thyroid gland disorder है जिसमें थायरॉयड ग्रंथि में एक या अधिक nodules (गांठें) बन जाती हैं।
- यह condition thyroid enlargement (goiter) का सबसे common form है।
- Nodules benign या malignant हो सकते हैं।
- आमतौर पर adult women में ज्यादा पाया जाता है।
- Early detection जरूरी है क्योंकि कुछ nodules thyroid cancer के रूप में विकसित हो सकते हैं।
Nodular Goiter क्या है (What is Nodular Goiter)
- Enlargement of thyroid with solitary or multiple nodules
- Can be:
- Solitary nodular goiter – single nodule
- Multinodular goiter – multiple nodules
- May be associated with normal, increased, or decreased thyroid function
- Often presents as visible neck swelling
Nodular Goiter कारण (Causes of Nodular Goiter)
1. Iodine Deficiency
- सबसे common cause worldwide
- Low iodine intake leads to thyroid enlargement
2. Thyroid Hyperplasia / Adenoma
- Benign growth of thyroid cells
- Can lead to solitary nodule formation
3. Genetic / Familial Predisposition
- Family history increases risk
- Genetic mutations may cause nodule formation
4. Thyroid Cancer
- Rarely, nodules may indicate malignancy
5. Other Factors
- Hormonal imbalance
- Autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
- Radiation exposure
Nodular Goiter लक्षण (Symptoms of Nodular Goiter)
- Visible swelling in the neck
- Feeling of pressure or tightness in throat
- Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) or breathing in large goiters
- Voice changes – hoarseness if recurrent laryngeal nerve compressed
- Occasionally hyperthyroid or hypothyroid symptoms
Most nodules are painless and slowly growing।
Nodular Goiter कैसे पहचाने (Diagnosis of Nodular Goiter)
- Physical Examination – palpable thyroid nodules, asymmetry
- Thyroid Function Tests – TSH, T3, T4 levels
- Ultrasound of Thyroid – confirms nodule size, number, and characteristics
- Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) – to rule out malignancy
- Radioactive Iodine Scan – determines functioning of nodules (hot/cold)
- CT / MRI (rarely) – for large or retrosternal goiters
FNAC is gold standard for detecting cancerous nodules।
Nodular Goiter इलाज (Treatment of Nodular Goiter)
1. Observation / Monitoring
- Small, asymptomatic, benign nodules
- Regular ultrasound and thyroid function tests
2. Medications
- Thyroid hormone suppression therapy – for small, benign nodules
- Antithyroid drugs – if nodule causing hyperthyroidism
3. Surgery
- Indicated for:
- Large goiters causing compression
- Suspicious or malignant nodules
- Cosmetic reasons
4. Radioactive Iodine Therapy
- For toxic multinodular goiter
- Reduces nodule size and thyroid hormone production
रोकथाम (Prevention)
- Adequate iodine intake – iodized salt
- Regular thyroid check-ups in high-risk individuals
- Early evaluation of neck swelling
- Maintain healthy diet and avoid radiation exposure
सावधानियाँ (Precautions)
- Do not ignore neck swelling or nodules
- Avoid self-medication with thyroid supplements
- Follow-up with endocrinologist for monitoring
- Immediate consultation if difficulty swallowing, breathing, or voice changes
FAQs (अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न)
Q1. Nodular goiter cancerous हो सकता है?
हाँ, rare cases में nodules malignant हो सकते हैं। FNAC से पुष्टि होती है।
Q2. क्या nodules painful होते हैं?
आमतौर पर painless होते हैं, pain only if inflammation or hemorrhage occurs।
Q3. Surgery कब जरूरी होती है?
Large, compressive, suspicious, or cosmetic reasons के लिए।
Q4. Thyroid function normal होने पर भी nodules grow कर सकते हैं?
हाँ, बहुत बार nodules normal thyroid function के साथ भी बढ़ते हैं।
निष्कर्ष (Conclusion)
Nodular Goiter (नोड्यूलर गोइटर) एक common thyroid disorder है।
Early detection, regular monitoring, FNAC evaluation और appropriate treatment से complications और malignancy risk कम किया जा सकता है।
अगर किसी को neck swelling, pressure symptoms या thyroid dysfunction दिखे, तो तुरंत endocrinologist से consultation जरूरी है।