Goitre Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

A goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid sits at the front of your neck, just below the Adam’s apple, with two lobes on either side of the windpipe connected by a thin bridge of tissue called the isthmus.

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, thyroid conditions like goitre are commonly evaluated and treated by primary care physicians and endocrinologists at major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

What the Thyroid Gland Does

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate:

  • Metabolism (how your body uses energy)
  • Growth and development
  • Body temperature
  • Heart rate and digestion

The thyroid is controlled by the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which tells the thyroid to make:

  • Thyroxine (T4)
  • Tri-iodothyronine (T3)

To make these hormones, the thyroid needs iodine, a mineral that comes from your diet.

Iodine, Michigan Diets, and Goitre

If your diet is low in iodine, the pituitary continues to send TSH to the thyroid, but the gland cannot make enough hormone. In response, the thyroid enlarges, leading to a goitre.

While the United States adds iodine to table salt, there is evidence of re-emerging iodine deficiency in some urban areas, including Grand Rapids and Detroit, especially among people who:

  • Avoid iodized salt
  • Eat mostly processed foods made with non‑iodized salt
  • Have limited intake of seafood or dairy

Because Michigan is far from the ocean and has long winters that influence food choices, it’s important for Grand Rapids residents to be aware of iodine intake as part of thyroid health.

Other Common Causes of Goitre

Beyond iodine deficiency, a goitre can be caused by several thyroid conditions:

  • Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
  • Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  • Thyroid nodules (lumps in the gland)
  • Thyroid cancer
  • High intake of certain foods that interfere with iodine use
  • Medications that affect thyroid function

Foods That May Contribute to Goitre (in Excess)

Large amounts of certain foods can interfere with iodine use by the thyroid, especially if your iodine intake is already low:

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Soy products

These foods are healthy and do not usually cause problems when eaten as part of a balanced diet with adequate iodine.

Medications That May Affect the Thyroid

Certain prescription drugs can increase the risk of goitre, including:

  • Lithium (used for some mood disorders)
  • Phenylbutazone (an older anti-inflammatory medication, now rarely used)

Always discuss medication side effects with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider before making changes.

Symptoms of a Goitre

Some goitres are small and cause no symptoms. Others can be large and uncomfortable. Symptoms may include:

  • Visible or palpable enlargement in the front of the neck
    • From a small lump to a large mass
  • Swallowing problems
    • If the goitre presses on the esophagus
  • Breathing problems
    • If the goitre presses on the windpipe (trachea)
  • A feeling of tightness or fullness in the neck
  • Hoarseness or voice changes (less common)

Because winter in Grand Rapids means scarves, turtlenecks, and heavier clothing, a slowly enlarging neck mass can be easy to overlook. If you notice any neck swelling or pressure, schedule an exam with a local provider.

Types of Goitre

Doctors generally describe two broad types of goitre:

1. Endemic Goitre

An endemic goitre affects many people in a particular geographic region, usually due to widespread iodine deficiency in the local soil and food supply.

  • More common in mountainous areas and regions far from the sea
  • Historically a problem in many parts of the world
  • Less common in the U.S. today due to iodized salt
  • However, pockets of iodine deficiency may still occur, including in some Michigan communities

2. Sporadic Goitre

A sporadic goitre affects individuals rather than entire communities. Risk factors include:

  • Family history of thyroid disease
  • Diet (low iodine, very high intake of goitrogenic foods)
  • Age over 40
  • Female gender (women are more affected than men)
  • Certain medications

Grand Rapids residents with a family history of thyroid disease, especially women over 40, should discuss neck changes and thyroid symptoms with their primary care doctor or endocrinologist.

Hyperthyroidism and Goitre (Overactive Thyroid)

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid makes too much hormone. A common cause is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system produces antibodies that act like TSH and overstimulate the thyroid.

This overstimulation can cause the thyroid to enlarge, creating a goitre.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

  • Fast or racing heart rate, sometimes irregular
  • Restlessness, anxiety, or nervousness
  • Unexplained weight loss despite normal or increased appetite
  • Heat intolerance (feeling too warm, even in Michigan winters)
  • Sweating
  • Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
  • Tremor (shaky hands)
  • Trouble sleeping

If you live in Grand Rapids and notice these symptoms along with neck swelling, ask your doctor for thyroid blood tests.

Hypothyroidism and Goitre (Underactive Thyroid)

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not make enough hormone. The pituitary responds by sending more TSH, which can cause the thyroid to enlarge and form a goitre.

Causes include:

  • Iodine deficiency
  • Hashimoto’s disease (an autoimmune condition)
  • Treatment for hyperthyroidism (surgery or radioactive iodine)
  • Pituitary gland problems (less common)

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

  • Low energy and fatigue
  • Depression or low mood
  • Cold intolerance (feeling cold even indoors, especially noticeable in West Michigan winters)
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain
  • Dry skin and hair
  • Slowed heart rate

These symptoms are common and can be mistaken for seasonal fatigue during long Grand Rapids winters, so it’s important to ask your provider about a thyroid evaluation if they persist.

Thyroid Nodules and Goitre

Thyroid nodules are lumps that form in the thyroid gland. When multiple nodules develop or a single nodule is large, the whole gland can appear enlarged, creating a goitre.

Nodules are often classified as:

  • “Hot” or “warm” nodules

    • Take up more radioactive iodine on a scan
    • Make extra thyroid hormone
    • Account for about 15% of nodules
    • Can cause hyperthyroidism

  • “Cold” nodules

    • Do not take up radioactive iodine
    • Account for about 85% of nodules
    • Most are benign, but about 20% may be cancerous

Any new or growing thyroid nodule in a Grand Rapids patient should be evaluated by a healthcare provider, often with ultrasound and possibly fine needle biopsy.

Thyroid Cancer and Goitre

Sometimes the thyroid is enlarged because of thyroid cancer. Many thyroid cancers grow slowly and have an excellent cure rate, especially when found early.

Who Can Get Thyroid Cancer?

  • It can affect any age and any gender, though it is more common in:
    • Women
    • People with a family history of thyroid cancer
    • Those with a history of radiation exposure to the head or neck (for example, some treatments used in the 1950s)

Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer

  • Chronic goitre (long-standing enlargement of the thyroid)
  • Family history of thyroid cancer or certain genetic syndromes
  • Female gender (more common in women)
  • Past radiation exposure to the neck or upper chest

The cancer risk for most goitres and nodules is low, but any persistent or growing neck mass should be checked by a specialist. In Grand Rapids, thyroid cancer is typically evaluated and treated by ENT surgeons, endocrine surgeons, and oncologists at major health systems.

How Goitre Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

A goitre and its underlying cause are usually diagnosed using:

  • Physical examination
    • Your doctor feels your neck while you swallow
  • Blood tests
    • TSH, T4, T3 levels
    • Thyroid antibodies (for autoimmune disease such as Graves’ or Hashimoto’s)
  • Ultrasound scan of the thyroid
    • Shows size, structure, and nodules
  • Radioactive iodine uptake scan
    • Helps determine if nodules are “hot” or “cold”
  • Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy
    • A thin needle is used to collect cells from a nodule to check for cancer

These tests are widely available in Grand Rapids through hospital systems like Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

Treatment Options for Goitre

Treatment for goitre in Grand Rapids depends on the underlying cause, the size of the goitre, and whether it is causing symptoms.

1. Goitre Caused by Iodine Deficiency

  • Increase iodine intake through:
    • Iodized table salt
    • Seafood (fish, seaweed)
    • Dairy products and eggs
  • A registered dietitian or primary care provider can help you plan an iodine-adequate diet.
  • Antithyroid medications to reduce hormone production
  • Radioactive iodine treatment to destroy overactive thyroid tissue
  • Surgery (partial or total thyroidectomy) if:
    • Medications are not effective
    • The goitre is very large or causing breathing/swallowing problems
    • Cancer is suspected

These treatments are commonly provided in Grand Rapids by endocrinologists and thyroid surgeons.

  • Lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy (levothyroxine)
  • Replacing low hormone levels usually:
    • Normalizes TSH
    • Can help reduce the size of the goitre over time

4. Benign Thyroid Nodules

Depending on size, symptoms, and test results, options may include:

  • Observation with regular ultrasound and exams
  • Medications (in select cases)
  • Radioactive iodine to shrink overactive nodules
  • Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid if:
    • The nodule is large
    • Causing symptoms
    • Has suspicious or cancerous features

5. Thyroid Cancer

  • Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland
  • Often followed by radioactive iodine treatment
  • Long-term thyroid hormone replacement and regular follow-up

Thyroid cancer care in Grand Rapids is available through multidisciplinary teams at major hospital systems, with access to surgery, nuclear medicine, and oncology services.

Local Resources for Thyroid and Goitre Care in Grand Rapids

If you suspect a goitre or thyroid problem, you can:

  • Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or nurse practitioner
  • Ask for a referral to an endocrinologist (thyroid specialist)
  • Contact local health systems:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health

For community health information and screening programs:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health initiatives and local clinics

Key Takeaways for Grand Rapids Residents

  • A goitre is an enlarged thyroid gland that can be caused by iodine deficiency, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, or thyroid cancer.
  • Neck enlargement, trouble swallowing, or breathing issues should be checked by a healthcare provider.
  • Hyperthyroidism may cause a racing heart, restlessness, weight loss, heat intolerance, and diarrhea.
  • Hypothyroidism may cause low energy, depression, cold intolerance, and constipation—symptoms that can be mistaken for seasonal issues during Michigan’s long winters.
  • Most thyroid nodules are benign, but some “cold” nodules can be cancerous, so proper evaluation is essential.
  • Iodine-deficient soil and changing diets mean iodine deficiency can re-emerge, even in developed areas like Grand Rapids and Detroit.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment of goitre and thyroid disorders in Grand Rapids generally lead to excellent outcomes.