What is hypo and hyper thyroidism?
I’ve always had a goiter and wondered.
Here’s a good place to find out more (look especially around 2/3 down the page for the links on hyper- and hypothyroidism).
A goitre refers to an enlarged thyroid gland. Such a gland may have normal function, may be underactive (hypo), or overactive (hyper). Sometimes, a goitre may have developed because of a tumour in the gland.
Anyone with a goitre should probably see a specialist (endocrinology or internal medicine) at least once.
Check out the link(s) above. If you still have questions, just post’em.
Here is another link to my friend/colleague’s excellent site on thyroid disease. It has sections on hyper and hypothyroidism, as well as on “thyroid enlargement” (goitre).