An enlarged thyroid can sometimes appear as swelling or a noticeable lump at the front of the neck. Because the thyroid is responsible for producing hormones that influence metabolism, energy, heart rate, temperature regulation, and many other body functions, changes in the thyroid should not be ignored.
A popular social-media claim suggests that a natural tea can shrink an enlarged thyroid within one hour and restore the neck to normal. Although herbal teas can be enjoyed as beverages, there is no reliable evidence that drinking a tea can make an enlarged thyroid return to normal within 60 minutes.
An enlarged thyroid, also called a goiter, can have several different causes. It may occur because of iodine deficiency, autoimmune thyroid disease, thyroid nodules, inflammation, or an overactive or underactive thyroid. The appropriate treatment therefore depends on the underlying cause.
Some people with an enlarged thyroid have no symptoms other than visible swelling. Others may experience a feeling of pressure in the neck, difficulty swallowing, a sensation of something stuck in the throat, coughing, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing if the enlargement becomes significant.
Thyroid problems can also produce symptoms elsewhere in the body. Depending on whether the thyroid is underactive or overactive, a person may experience fatigue, changes in body weight, sensitivity to cold or heat, changes in heart rate, changes in bowel habits, sleep problems, anxiety, or changes in menstrual patterns.
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