12 Angela does not have a goiter at the moment If her condit

12. Angela does not have a goiter at the moment. If her condition continues unchecked will she develop one? Why or why not? Make sure you include Angela’s blood work results to back up your response.

Solution

Enlargement of thyroid gland is known as goiter. Uniform enlargement results in diffuse goiter or multiple nodules proliferating in thyroid tissue form nodular goiter. The enlarged gland secretes excessive thyroid hormone causing hyperthyroidism and is called toxic goiter. The goiter without excess secretion of thyroid hormone is called nontoxic goiter.

Nontoxic goiter may be either nodular or diffuse goiter caused due to inadequate secretion of thyroid hormone. The reduced hormone stimulates the hypothalamus to produce thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). The TRH in turn stimulates pituitary glands to produce more thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This causes enlargement of glands in order to produce more hormone. Nontoxic goiter is predisposed by iodine deficiency; deficiency of enzymes involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormone and increased hormone requirements.

In case of Angela, nontoxic goiter is also caused due to a tumor in the anterior pituitary gland that releases the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). The thyroid gland becomes inactive and TRH and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) production would be low and may lead to hypothyroidism.