With either type of thyroid disease, it's common for the thyroid to swell. An oversized thyroid is called a goiter, and while you may see the inflammation or feel it with your hand, it's rarely painful. People with a goiter can develop a cough or have difficulty swallowing and breathing, but because you don't feel these symptoms in your thyroid, it can be tough to figure out early on that a goiter is the cause.
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