What is a goiter and if it is in the neck what does that mean?

my dad went to the doctor and they told him he has a goiter in his neck is that dangerous?

Goiter is an enlargement of your thyroid gland 鈥?a small, butterfly-shaped gland weighing less than an ounce, located just below your Adam's apple in your neck. Hormones produced by your thyroid gland regulate all aspects of your metabolism, from the rate at which your heart beats to the speed at which you burn calories. Although generally not uncomfortable, goiter can interfere with swallowing or breathing.

One of the causes of goiter can be an iodine deficiency as the answerer above stated, but there are other possible causes of goiter. Some of the causes are serious, others are not.
Other causes of goiter:
*Graves' disease--This disease, an autoimmune disorder, is the most common cause of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). In Graves' disease, antibodies produced by your immune system stimulate the thyroid to produce too much thyroxine. Normally, your immune system uses antibodies to help protect against viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances that invade the body. In Graves' disease, antibodies mistakenly attack your thyroid gland and occasionally the tissue behind your eyes and the skin of your lower legs. The overstimulation of your thyroid in Graves' disease results in uniform and nonpainful swelling of the thyroid gland.
*Hashimoto's disease--This disease, also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is a common cause of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Hashimoto's disease also is an autoimmune disorder and causes inflammation, which impairs your thyroid's ability to produce hormones. Then, your pituitary gland attempts to stimulate your thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones, causing your thyroid gland to enlarge.
*Multinodular goiter--In this condition, several nodules develop in both sides of your thyroid, resulting in overall enlargement of the gland. Multinodular goiter may occur with normal, low or excessive thyroid hormone production.
*Solitary thyroid nodules--A solitary nodule describes a single nodule that can occur in any part of your thyroid gland. Most nodules are noncancerous (benign) and don't lead to cancer.
*Thyroid cancer--Thyroid cancer is less common than benign thyroid nodules. Cancer of the thyroid often appears as an enlargement on one side of the thyroid.
*Inflammation--Thyroiditis is an inflammatory condition of the thyroid. Various types of thyroiditis can result in an enlargement of your thyroid gland. Some may cause thyroid pain, often aggravated by swallowing or pressure. Some types of thyroiditis are associated with hyperthyroidism, while others are associated with hypothyroidism.
*Pregnancy--A hormone produced during pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), may cause slight uniform enlargement of your thyroid gland.
*****I don't think that this is your dad's problem though. :o)

I would have your dad ask his physician what the cause is though he may have to have more tests done before his physician is really sure.

Check out this website for more information on types of tests and possible treatments for goiter.

You have an iodine deficiency. It is not an immediate health hazard, but you need to tend to it

A goitre is an enlarged thyroid gland. A goitre can mean that all the thyroid gland is swollen or enlarged, or one or more swellings or lumps develop in part or parts of the thyroid. The thyroid gland is in the lower part of the front of the neck. It lies just in front of the trachea (windpipe). It has a right and left lobe which are connected together by a narrower band of thyroid tissue. (It is roughly the shape of a butterfly.) You cannot usually see or feel a normal thyroid gland. If the thyroid enlarges it causes a swelling in the neck which you can see - a goitre.The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones - called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These are carried round the body in the bloodstream. Thyroxine and T3 help to keep the body's functions (the metabolism) working at the correct pace. Many cells and tissues in the body need thyroxine and T3 to keep them working correctly.Treatment depends on the cause, the size of the goitre, and whether it is causing symptoms. For example:If he has a small goitre that is not due to a cancerous nodule, and his thyroid is making the correct amount of thyroxine and T3, then he may not need any treatment. He will need treatment if he makes too much or too little thyroxine or T3. An operation to remove some or all of the thyroid may be an option in some cases. Radioactive iodine treatment may be an option for a goitre causing an overactive thyroid. This involves taking a drink, or swallowing a capsule, which contains radioactive iodine. The radioactive iodine builds up in the thyroid gland. As the radioactivity is concentrated in the thyroid gland, it destroys some thyroid tissue. If he has cancer of the thyroid, he will probably need surgery. Iodine replacement, if the goitre is due to lack of iodine in the diet.
I add a link which discusses this condition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goitre

Hope this helps
matador 89