Thyroiditis means an inflammation of the thyroid gland. It refers to several disorders that cause an inflammation of the thyroid, a gland located in the front of your neck below your Adam’s apple. The thyroid makes hormones that control metabolism, the pace of your body’s processes. Metabolism includes things like your heart rate and how quickly you burn calories.
Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis
What is thyroiditis?
What causes thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis is caused by an attack on the thyroid gland. The attack causes inflammation (the body’s response to injury) and damages the thyroid cells. Usually, the attack on the thyroid is from antibodies made by the body’s immune system, but it can also be caused by an infection or certain medications.
What are the symptoms of thyroiditis?
Since thyroiditis refers to a group of disorders rather than just one disorder, the symptoms can be different.
If the thyroiditis causes slow, long-term thyroid cell damage and destruction that causes thyroid hormone levels in the blood to fall, the symptoms are like those of hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity). Symptoms include:
If the thyroiditis causes slow, long-term thyroid cell damage and destruction that causes thyroid hormone levels in the blood to fall, the symptoms are like those of hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity). Symptoms include:
- fatigue
- unexpected weight gain
- constipation
- dry skin
- depression
- muscle aches
If the thyroiditis causes rapid thyroid cell damage and destruction that causes thyroid hormone in the gland to leak out and increase the thyroid hormone levels in your blood, it causes symptoms that are like those of hyperthyroidism (high thyroid activity). However, in thyroiditis, these symptoms are called thyrotoxicosis. Unlike hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis is a temporary condition and it is not caused by an overactive thyroid. Symptoms include:
- weight loss
- nervousness, anxiety or irritability
- difficulty sleeping
- rapid heart rate
- fatigue, muscle weakness
- tremors (shaking hands or fingers)
Patients with thyroiditis can sometimes have pain in the thyroid gland in the front of the neck.
How will my doctor know if I have thyroiditis?
Your doctor will perform laboratory tests to determine if you have thyroiditis, and if so, what type of thyroiditis you have. Tests that measure the amount of thyroid hormone in your blood will indicate whether your thyroid is releasing too much hormone or too little. Blood tests can also show how much thyroid-stimulating hormone your pituitary gland is producing and what antibodies are present in the body.
Your doctor may also do a radioactive iodine uptake test to measure your thyroid’s ability to take up iodine, a trace mineral that is needed to produce thyroid hormone. In some cases, a biopsy may be needed to determine what is attacking the thyroid.
Your doctor may also do a radioactive iodine uptake test to measure your thyroid’s ability to take up iodine, a trace mineral that is needed to produce thyroid hormone. In some cases, a biopsy may be needed to determine what is attacking the thyroid.
What are the different types of thyroiditis and how do they affect the body?
There are several types of thyroiditis.
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Caused by antibodies that attack the thyroid.
- Shows symptoms of hypothyroidism.
- Results in permanent hypothyroidism, which can be treated.
- Subacute thyroiditis (also called de Quervain’s thyroiditis)
- Possibly caused by a viral infection.
- Causes pain in the thyroid and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms improve within 12 to 18 months. There is a slight chance of permanent hypothyroidism, which can be treated.
- Silent thyroiditis, Painless thyroiditis
- Caused by antibodies that attack the thyroid.
- Shows symptoms of thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms improve within 12 to 18 months. May result in permanent hypothyroidism.
- Postpartum thyroiditis
- Caused by antibodies that attack the thyroid after delivery of a child.
- Shows symptoms of thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms improve within 12 to 18 months. May result in permanent hypothyroidism.
- Drug-induced thyroiditis
- Caused by prescription drugs such as amiodarone, lithium, interferons and cytokines.
- Shows symptoms of thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms continue as long as the drug is taken.
- Radiation-induced thyroiditis
- Follows treatment with radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism or radiation therapy for certain cancers.
- Occasionally shows symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. Most commonly shows symptoms of hypothyroidism.
- Thyrotoxicosis symptoms will improve. Hypothyroidism is usually permanent.
- Acute thyroiditis, Suppurative thyroiditis
- Caused by bacteria or other infectious organisms.
- Symptoms include a painful thyroid, generalized illness, and occasionally symptoms of mild hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms improve after treatment of the infectious cause.
How is thyroiditis treated?
Your treatment depends on what type of thyroiditis you have and what symptoms you have.
If you have symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, your doctor may prescribe a drug called a beta blocker to lower your heart rate and reduce any tremors you may be experiencing. Since thyrotoxicosis is temporary, your doctor will taper the dose of this medicine as your symptoms improve.
If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism, your doctor may prescribe thyroid hormone replacements to restore your body’s hormone levels and shift your metabolism back to normal. It can take several tries to get the right dose of synthetic thyroid hormone. In some types of thyroiditis, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will improve over time and your doctor will slowly taper your dose of synthetic thyroid hormone.
If you have pain in your thyroid, your doctor may recommend a mild anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin or ibuprofen to manage the pain. Occasionally, severe thyroid pain requires treatment with steroid therapy.
If you have symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, your doctor may prescribe a drug called a beta blocker to lower your heart rate and reduce any tremors you may be experiencing. Since thyrotoxicosis is temporary, your doctor will taper the dose of this medicine as your symptoms improve.
If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism, your doctor may prescribe thyroid hormone replacements to restore your body’s hormone levels and shift your metabolism back to normal. It can take several tries to get the right dose of synthetic thyroid hormone. In some types of thyroiditis, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will improve over time and your doctor will slowly taper your dose of synthetic thyroid hormone.
If you have pain in your thyroid, your doctor may recommend a mild anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin or ibuprofen to manage the pain. Occasionally, severe thyroid pain requires treatment with steroid therapy.
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Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Created: 09/07