How to Shrink a Goiter Naturally: Doctor-Approved Tips to Tame Thyroid Swelling
Simply cooking cruciferous veggies can ease thyroid inflammation
If you’ve ever noticed a lump at the base of your neck, it could be a sign of goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The condition is more common after age 40, and affects more women than men. Aside from a visible bump that tends to enlarge over time, a goiter can also cause a feeling of tightness in your throat, a hoarse voice and even dizziness. So we asked doctors how to shrink a goiter naturally to ease your most bothersome symptoms.
What causes a goiter?
Before discussing goiter treatment, it’s important to understand what can cause the lump in the first place. Common culprits include:
Underactive thyroid
In the United States, the most common cause of goiter is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, says Dr. Barlow. This is an autoimmune disorder that causes hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. The body’s response to the thyroid gland (a small, butterfly-shaped gland on the front of your neck) not producing enough thyroid hormone can be to create more hormones. And that may cause the thyroid to swell, he explains.
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Iodine deficiency
The most common global cause of goiter is iodine deficiency, says Omayra Quijano-Vega, MD, an endocrinologist with Paloma Health. This is because the element is essential for thyroid hormone production, she explains.
When we don’t get enough iodine, the thyroid has to work harder, which causes inflammation. That said, this is less common in the US, since we have iodine in our foods, clarifies Benjamin Barlow, MD, Chief Medical Officer of American Family Care.
Overactive thyroid
Grave’s disease can also lead to a goiter, Dr. Barlow adds. As opposed to Hashimoto’s, this disease causes the body to produce too many hormones (hyperthyroidism), which can also be liable for thyroid swelling.
Thyroid nodules
“Goiters can also develop due to thyroid nodules, growths within the gland that can lead to overall enlargement, as well as hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause,” says Dr. Quijano-Vega. “Certain medications, such as lithium or exposure to goitrogens—substances in some foods—can also contribute.” (More on goitrogens below.)
Thyroiditis
Another common cause of goiter is inflammation of the thyroid, adds Dr. Barlow. This is called thyroiditis. An infection or medication (such as amiodarone, lithium and tyrosine kinase inhibitors) can cause the gland to become inflamed.
How to shrink a goiter naturally
If you suspect you have a goiter, it’s always best to visit your doctor first. He or she can determine the underlying cause and help treat any imbalances in your thyroid hormone levels. In addition to whatever treatment your physician may recommend, following a healthy lifestyle can typically manage swelling to help shrink a goiter naturally.
Here, three easy steps you can take:
Up your iodine intake
“Ensuring proper iodine intake is essential, as iodine is the building block for thyroid hormones,” offers Dr. Quijano-Vega. The recommended daily allowance of iodine for adult women is 150 mcg, according to the National Institutes of Health. “Foods like iodized salt, seaweed, fish [especially tuna, cod and oysters] and dairy products [yogurt, milk and milk products] can help maintain adequate iodine levels. However, too much iodine can also disrupt thyroid function, so balance is key.”
For reference, one serving (3 oz.) of cod has 146 mcg of iodine, about ¾ cup of Greek yogurt has 87 mcg and just ¼ tsp. of iodized table salt has 78 mcg.
Scale back on goitrogens
While they are full of other health benefits, goitrogenic foods such as raw cruciferous vegetables (think broccoli and cauliflower) can worsen a lump. To help shrink a goiter naturally, reducing your intake of goitrogens may prevent further thyroid disruption, Dr. Quijano-Vega says.
This doesn’t mean you should swear off these foods entirely, though. In fact, simply cooking these vegetables minimizes their goitrogenic effects, making them safer to include in your diet, she offers.
Soothe chronic stress
“Chronic stress can negatively affect thyroid function,” cautions Dr. Quijano-Vega. “Practices like yoga, meditation or regular exercise can help maintain hormonal balance. It’s also wise to minimize exposure to environmental toxins, such as tobacco smoke and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which may impact thyroid health.”
What does goiter treatment entail?
If you can’t shrink your goiter naturally, your doctor may recommend a more intensive course of treatment. Once your doctor identifies what is causing the goiter from lab testing, treatment will be tailored to the cause and symptoms, explains Dr. Barlow. Goiter treatment options include observation and possibly medication, surgery or radiofrequency ablation.
“For example, a goiter caused by a deficiency of iodine can be treated by iodine supplementation,” he says. “Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is often treated with thyroid hormone supplements, depending on your lab tests. Your medical provider will help you through the treatment of the specific disease causing the goiter.”
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