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health advisory Hospital Health advisory 2007-11-16 5:19:17

hi, i have a weird lump in my ear which hurts, i have been told it is a goitre. what is one of them? i am 16 and male if that helps?

Answer:

A goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. This gland is situated at the front of the throat, below the Adam鈥檚 apple (larynx). It comprises two lobes that lie on either side of the windpipe and are joined in front by an isthmus. The thyroid gland secretes hormones to regulate many metabolic processes, including growth and energy expenditure. The thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland, which is located in the brain.

The symptoms of a goitre include:

Enlargement of the throat, ranging from a small lump to a huge mass.

Swallowing problems, if the goitre is large enough to press on the oesophagus.

Breathing problems, if the goitre is large enough to press on the windpipe (trachea).

The lump in your ear could be as simple as a blind pimple or some other infection. Go see your Doctor to have it checked.

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I believe that a 'goitre' can be caused by an iodine deficiency. You would be best to go to the doctor and get your bloods checked. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

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