What causes goitre?

Goitre is mainly caused by an iodine deficiency, which prevents the thyroid gland from producing enough thyroid hormones. To compensate, the thyroid gland enlarges, causing a visible swelling in the front of the neck.

Common symptoms include swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and, in some cases, changes in metabolism and energy levels. Goitre can be prevented by using iodised salt and eating iodine-rich foods such as seafood, dairy products, eggs, and seaweed where available.

Entity Keywords: Goitre, Iodine deficiency, Thyroid gland, Thyroid hormones, Iodised salt, Neck swelling, Iodine-rich foods, Deficiency diseases.