Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland, which produces a range of key hormones. The condition can sometimes cause hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is one type of thyroiditis and a chronic, autoimmune disease.
However, thyroiditis can also stem from an infection, radiation, medication use, and other causes. It can be acute, which means it occurs suddenly and goes away over time, or chronic, which means it develops and persists.
Here, learn about the different types and causes of thyroiditis.
Thyroiditis involves the inflammation of the thyroid gland, which produces hormones that regulate key body functions, such as blood pressure and metabolism.
A person with thyroiditis may experience various symptoms, depending on the cause and how it affects thyroid function. There are no symptoms specific to thyroiditis. Some causes may lead to pain at the front of the neck but will not necessarily affect thyroid function.
Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease. People most at risk of the condition include those who have recently given birth and those taking certain medications. In some cases, genetic factors
Doctors
Acute thyroiditis
Acute thyroiditis is a transient condition, meaning it occurs and passes and does not persist throughout a person’s life.
It can result from an infection or radiation exposure.
A typical blood supply and extensive lymphatic drainage usually prevent infection. However, streptococcal, staphylococcal, or fungal infection can sometimes occur in older adults and those with chronic illness or a weakened immune system.
Radiation to the neck can treat some types of cancer and Graves’ disease, but it can also lead to thyroiditis.
Subacute thyroiditis
Also known as granulomatous thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis likely results from a virus such as an upper respiratory tract infection. People may experience pain in the front of the neck. However, subacute thyroiditis is self-limiting, which means it resolves over time.
Chronic thyroiditis
Chronic thyroiditis is an ongoing or long-term condition that may persist throughout a person’s life.
It can stem from:
- an autoimmune condition, such as postpartum thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- the use of medications such as amiodarone, lithium, and some types of immunotherapy
- a
rare condition known as Riedel thyroiditis, which involves fibrosis or hardening of the tissue in the thyroid gland
Thyroiditis does not usually cause symptoms directly, but changes to the thyroid gland can result in symptoms throughout the body.
There are often three phases:
- thyrotoxicosis, which is when the thyroid releases thyroid hormone from damaged thyroid cells
- hypothyroidism due to the depletion of thyroid stores
- restoration of thyroid function in acute or subacute cases or permanent hypothyroidism in chronic cases
The following table shows
| Cause of thyroiditis | Possible symptoms at diagnosis |
| infection (acute and subacute thyroiditis) | swelling, pain, fever, and/or tenderness at the front of the neck |
| autoimmune or Hashimoto thyroiditis | usually presents with a painless goiter, but in time, |
| postpartum thyroiditis | rapid heart rate, nervousness, diarrhea |
| drug-induced thyroiditis | weight gain, fatigue, constipation, dry skin |
| Reidel thyroiditis | a fixed, hard, painless goiter, difficulty swallowing, hoarse voice, a feeling of choking |
Thyroiditis occurs when the thyroid is under attack, leading to inflammation and damage to thyroid cells.
Thyroiditis can occur for various reasons, including:
To diagnose thyroiditis, a doctor will usually:
- ask about symptoms
- discuss the person’s medical history
- carry out a physical examination
- recommend the following tests:
- blood tests to measure thyroid-stimulating hormone and check for signs of infection
- a thyroid ultrasound to look for inflammation and check for thyroid nodules or other changes
- thyroid uptake tests to see if the thyroid is producing too much or too little thyroid hormone
Treatments for thyroiditis will depend on the cause.
Treatments for infection include:
- antibiotics
- pain relief
- other medications
- surgery to drain an abscess, if necessary
For autoimmune thyroiditis, a doctor
A person with Riedel thyroiditis
For drug-induced thyroiditis, the doctor may recommend continuing the drug but also taking levothyroxine and continuing to monitor thyroid levels.
The outlook for thyroiditis will depend, to some extent, on the cause.
Acute and subacute thyroiditis do not always affect thyroid function and often resolve after treating the infection and any symptoms. Thyroiditis due to radiation usually disappears alone, but the person may need monitoring to ensure there is no further damage.
Medications can help stabilize long-term thyroid dysfunction. However, chronic thyroid problems
Does thyroiditis go away?
Some types of thyroiditis are self-limiting. They eventually go away, and regular thyroid function returns. However, other types, such as autoimmune thyroiditis, can be lifelong.
How do you manage thyroiditis?
The treatment for thyroiditis depends on the cause. Some people may need long-term medication, such as levothyroxine. However, if thyroiditis results from an infection, the person may only need antibiotics.
How does Hashimoto’s make you feel?
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a type of hypothyroidism,
Thyroiditis refers to an inflammation of the thyroid gland. Possible causes include an autoimmune condition, such as Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease, an infection, or the use of certain medications.
The cause of thyroiditis will determine how it affects a person over the long term. Some cases are self-limiting and go away on their own, while others require ongoing medical treatment.