| A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The | | | | and in extreme cases, difficulty in swallowing and |
| thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck. It | | | | breathing. |
| secretes a fluid, the hormone thyroxin, which s made | | | | Treatment of goiter varies with the cause. If goiter is |
| from iodine and tyrosine, an amino acid. The thyroid, | | | | due to an iodine deficiency, increasing the intake of |
| through the thyroxin hormone, regulates metabolism or | | | | iodine will prevent further enlargement of the gland, and |
| the burning of food, growth and body temperature and | | | | in some cases, reduce its size. |
| influences mental and emotional balance; it is also a | | | | Vitamin A is necessary for the proper metabolism of |
| factor in the function of the reproductive system. | | | | iodine; this vitamin is also important for the proper |
| Thyroid disorders are caused by an inadequate intake | | | | functioning of the pituitary gland, which secretes a |
| of iodine, resulting in insufficient thyroxin production, or a | | | | substance that regulates the thyroid. |
| disorder elsewhere in the body that requires more | | | | Tyrosine can not be used without vitamin B6 and C. |
| thyroxin than the gland can manufacture. Goiter may | | | | Vitamin E increases the absorption of iodine. The use |
| be caused by a lack of iodine in the diet, inflammation | | | | of iodized salt has helped to eliminate goiter in many |
| of the thyroid gland due to infection, or under - or | | | | places where iodine does not occur naturally in foods. |
| overproduction of thyroxin by the thyroid gland. | | | | Kelp is an excellent source of iodine, low in sodium, and |
| Symptoms of goiter are a swelling at the base of the | | | | is better retained by the body than potassium iodide. |
| neck, hoarseness, change in the rate of metabolism, | | | | |