African woman with goiter (bronchocele, Derbyshire neck). A goiter is a swelling of the neck caused by enlargement of the thyroid gland. Simple goiter is an example of an endemic disease caused by drinking water deficient in iodine. It can be cured by using iodized salt, or other forms of iodine. Exopthalmic goiter (thyrotoxicosis) is caused by excessive or perverse secretions of the thyroid gland that are associated with Grave's disease, also known as Parry's disease.