Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland, usually caused by an autoimmune disease. The thyroid gland produces hormones that affect many processes in your body such as metabolism, menstruation and cardiac functions. It is below your Adam’s apple in the front of your neck.
Autoimmune reactions are when your body attacks you instead of things it should like infections. Most of the symptoms of thyroiditis go away within 3 months and fully go away within a year. Sometimes it turns into hypothyroidism that can become permanent.
Thyroiditis can sometimes develop to or from thyrotoxicosis, which is a dangerous excess of thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, or too much thyroid hormone can cause thyrotoxicosis. The symptoms are often palpitations, anxiety, fatigue, weight loss, heat sensitivity and weakness.
What are the causes of thyroiditis?
- Hashimotos: This is an autoimmune disease that often develops over many years. After it clears the hypothyroidism usually stays.
- Postpartum: This is thyroiditis after the delivery of a baby that usually resolves in 12-18 months. This may turn into permanent hypothyroidism in 20% of patients.
- Painless/Silent: The same course as postpartum but it happens in men and women.
- Subacute: This causes painful thyroid and thyroid toxicosis. 5% of patients may develop permanent hypothyroidism, but it is usually resolved within 12-18 months.
- Infections: Viruses and bacteria can cause thyroiditis. Symptoms usually clear with the infection.
- Medications: Examples are interferon, lithium, cytokines and amiodarone. The symptoms may resolve once the medication is stopped.
- Radiation: This happens after radioactive iodine for a thyroid disorder or beam radiation for cancer. Hypothyroidism may continue after the thyroiditis resolves.
- Suppurative: Any infection but bacteria is usually the culprit here. This may cause a severe illness but it usually clears after treatment of the infection.
Symptoms:
- Pain in neck or thyroid
- Swelling in neck or thyroid
- Throat pain
- Fatigue
- Racing heart
- Enlarged tongue
- Weakness
- Muscle aches or pain
- Depression
- Difficulty dealing with heat or cold
What is the treatment of thyroiditis?
- Antiinflammatories, such as Motrin and aspirin, treat the thyroid pain.
- If it is at the stage of hypothyroidism (lower thyroid function) this is usually treated with thyroid medication, such as Synthroid. It will be continued for 6-12 months and tapered to see if you need to continue taking it.
- Beta-blockers treat the heart-racing, palpitation and tremor symptoms of thyrotoxicosis.
- Antibiotics are used if it is caused by a bacterial infection.