goiters

[shennigan]

Dr. Garth Nicholason,
I am asking on behalf of myself. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's about 1 1/2 ago. I was wondering once I have goiiter will I always have one. I know it has shrunk some but will it continue to shrink and will my thryoid gland go back to normal size or am I stuck with always having a goiter.
thanks
shennigan

[shorty268]

    HELLO THERE. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HASHIMOTO'S ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO.  MY THYROID STILL SWELLS AND GOES DOWN AGAIN.  WHEN I START FEELING DIFFERENT, I WILL GET TO THE DOCTOR AND HAVE A BLOOD DRAW.  USUALLY I WILL NEED A DOSAGE CHANGE ON MY MEDS.

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

That depends on the success of your treatment and its outcome.  There is no reason to believe that this won't slowly go back to normal, along with associated tissue swelling and glandular hyperplasia.  

I have discussed Hashimoto's Disease in several recent posts, and I don't want to go back over this territory again.

However, I need to make one comment.  We and others have found that Hashimoto's Disease can be caused by chronic infections (bacterial and/or viral).  Once these have been identified, they can be successfully treated.

Prof. Garth Nicolson