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Goiter and Thyroid Nodule Self-Examination

Palpating and Observing the Gland for Abnormalities

Sep 6, 2009 Jim Lowrance

While a person can sometimes detect a goiter and/or thyroid nodules by self examination, a definitive diagnoses must be given by a qualified physician.

These abnormalities in size and/or texture of the thyroid gland can occur with both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions but are more common in autoimmune thyroid diseases. If a person feels he may be experiencing thyroid-related symptoms or has detected an abnormal feeling in his thyroid, a preliminary self-examination can be done while an appointment with a qualified physician has been scheduled. A patient can then report any findings that indicate problems in the gland to his medical doctor. The emedicine/WebMD website states in their article titled "Goiter Nontoxic: Follow-Up", under the Patient Education sub-heading that "Thyroid self-examination" may be taught to patients, allowing them to monitor their own body for early changes in gland size."

Palpating the Thyroid Gland

A person can feel his own throat, using the fingertips (palpation), in the area of the thyroid gland, to detect swelling or lumps. The thyroid is located in the center of the throat, directly beneath the Adams apple, which in males is more prominent but can usually be located easily in females as well. Once finding the Adams apple, the isthmus (middle portion) of the thyroid is only about an inch or, slightly lower below it and will be slightly raised. If the isthmus protrudes significantly, or feels very firm to the touch, this can indicate a goiter in that portion of the gland.

Shape of the Gland

There are also two lobes of the thyroid gland, one of each side of it, that extend about an inch toward the inside of the throat and that extend upward toward the Adams apple, about even with it. The gland is typically small and forms a butterfly shape. The lobes actually attach to the Adams apple and throat with connecting cartilage and tissue but when they are normal size, are usually not easily felt unless pressed-on firmly with the fingertips. If they are easily detectable without firmly pressing down on them or are visible without the need to palpate them, this can indicate a goiter or nodules in the lobe-areas as well.

The Swallow Test

While palpation is being done to detect swelling (enlargement) in the gland, any lumps or protrusions that might indicate a thyroid nodule (tumor-like growth) or several of them should also be checked for. These can also be spotted by tilting the head back, while looking in a mirror and taking sips of water, watching for any signs of enlargement or lumps as the gland moves up and down in the throat. Some people with enlarged glands are found to have both goiter and nodules, which is referred to as a “nodular goiter” or a “multi-nodular goiter”.

Difficulty Swallowing

If a person feels a lump on the inside of his throat when swallowing, this can indicate a thyroid nodule that is growing toward the inside and that cannot be felt from the outside of the throat. If there is a general feeling of difficulty swallowing or breathing due to the throat being constricted, this may also indicate a goiter in which the enlargement is swelling toward the inside of the throat. This type problem is not always indicative of thyroid problems but can be related to esophagus problems as well.

If any of these self-examination methods are found to indicate a problem in the gland, it should be reported to a medical doctor as soon as possible for further evaluation.

The copyright of the article Goiter and Thyroid Nodule Self-Examination in General Medicine is owned by Jim Lowrance. Permission to republish Goiter and Thyroid Nodule Self-Examination in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Throat Anatomy