Answering the question:
Old definition [1930]: visible swelling on the neck as a result of thyroid enlargement.
Modern definition [1996]
a) thyroid gland size that is exceeding volume of 18 cu cm for females and 22 cu cm in males in the age group 22 years old and older [age group varies among the reference sources];
b) thyroid gland that has nodules larger then 0.5 cm in diameter [nodular goiter], the gland itself can be normal size.
the last definition is confusing and used to sort ultrasound finding
So the most doctors are using following criteria:
Goiter is visible or palpable swelling of the thyroid due to general enlargement or nodules.
The last one is very subjective, as palpation is very unreliable method of estimating thyroid size.
Get an iodine deficiency test done. It could be a shot in the dark - but why not explore that as an option.
You are on Synthroid too right? I think I remember a past post of yours
As Smilerdeb says, goiter is when the thyroid is enlarged. I had mine removed because it became a goiter that also had several suspicious nodules on it.
My understanding is, a goiter (an enlargement of the thyroid) shows up where there is an iodine deficiency. But then just having iodine in the diet doesn't completely shield someone from developing one either. That's why, so-to-speak, iodine therapies are not recommended - they can give a false sense of protection.
Honestly, until you see the endo and find out exactly what’s going on, I’d hold off on even contemplating any treatments. Lest anything the endo needs to investigate gets masked.
Hope April comes up fast. Good luck.
Your thyroid is enlarged and not functioning as it should.
Ask your Doctor to do an antibodies test fro Graves Disease and Hashimoto.
You may have Thyroiditis which is an inflammation of the thyroid.
But you need to rule out auto-immune disease before anything.