THYROIDITIS
A group of disorders that cause inflammation of the thyroid gland is referred to as Thyroiditis. The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland located in the front of the neck, below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland produces hormones that control your metabolism and affect the way your body works, and these hormones are responsible for your body’s energy production, calorie burning, etc. plays an important role in its functions.
There are several types of inflammation of the thyroid gland (Thyroiditis):
Acute thyroiditis (suppurative thyroiditis)
- The cause is bacteria or infection.
- Symptoms include pain in the thyroid gland, mild illness, and signs of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
- Symptoms improve with treatment of the causative agent of the infection.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
- The cause of the disease is antibodies that attack the thyroid gland (autoimmune).
- The symptoms are signs of hypothyroidism.
- Hypothyroidism is permanent and needs to be treated with thyroid hormone replacement.
Subacute Thyroiditis (de Quervain’s thyroiditis)
- The possible cause is a viral infection.
- Symptoms include pain in the thyroid gland, signs of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), followed by hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms improve within a few months.
- Hypothyroidism can rarely be permanent and is treated with thyroid hormone replacement.
Silent (painless) Thyroiditis
- The disease may be caused by antibodies attacking the thyroid gland or an autoimmune disorder.
- The symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms improve within 12 to 18 months.
- Hypothyroidism can be permanent and is treated with thyroid hormone replacement.
Postpartum Thyroiditis
- The cause of the disease is antibodies that attack the thyroid after birth, miscarriage or abortion.
- Symptoms of hyperthyroidism appear 1 to 3 months after birth. Symptoms of hypothyroidism begin approximately 4 to 8 months after birth.
- Symptoms improve within 12 to 18 months.
- Hypothyroidism may be permanent, in which case it is treated with thyroid hormone replacement.
Radiation-induced Thyroiditis
- The disease is caused by the use of radioactive iodine to treat hyperthyroidism or radiation therapy to treat some cancers.
- The symptoms are signs of hypothyroidism.
- Hyperthyroidism may get better but then come back. Hypothyroidism is often permanent and treated with thyroid hormone replacement.
Drug-induced Thyroiditis
- This is due to the use of prescription medications such as amiodarone, lithium, interferons and cytokines.
- The symptoms are signs of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms continue as long as the medication is taken.
Symptoms of Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis is a group of diseases of various types, so the symptoms vary.
Thyroiditis can lead to rapid damage of the thyroid gland cells. This causes thyroid hormone to leak into the blood and thyroid hormone levels to increase. The result is symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Possible symptoms include
- Weight loss
- Irritability, anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Fast heart rate
- Burnout
- Muscle Weakness
- Tremor (hand or finger tremor)
- Diarrhoea or loose stools
Thyroiditis can also lead to slow, long-term damage to thyroid cells. This causes low levels of thyroid hormone in your blood. The result is symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Possible symptoms include
- Unplanned weight gain
- Burnout
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Depression
- Muscle aches
People with thyroiditis may also have pain and swelling in the thyroid gland (in the front of the neck).
What Causes Thyroiditis?
The cause of thyroiditis depends on the type of disease you have. Most types occur when your immune system attacks the thyroid gland. This causes inflammation of the thyroid gland and damages the thyroid cells. The cause of the attack is usually an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s.
Other types of thyroiditis are caused by radiation or the use of certain medications. Viral or bacterial infections can also cause thyroiditis.
How is thyroiditis diagnosed?
Laboratory tests can often diagnose thyroiditis, including its type. Your doctor will start with a blood test. This measures the amount of thyroid hormone in your blood. It will show whether your hormone levels are too high or too low. Blood tests also check your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. TSH is produced in the pituitary gland and is involved in regulating your thyroid hormone levels. Blood tests can also show whether you have antibodies in your body.
Your doctor may perform a radioactive iodine uptake test. This measures your thyroid’s ability to absorb iodine, a mineral needed to produce thyroid hormone.
In some cases, a biopsy may be needed to determine what is attacking the thyroid.
Can thyroiditis be prevented?
Most cases of thyroiditis cannot be prevented. Talk to your doctor about your risk of thyroiditis if you have a health condition that requires treatment using radioactive iodine or radiation therapy. You may start other treatments to prevent the possibility of thyroiditis. If you are taking prescription medicines that can cause thyroiditis, talk to your doctor about your risk and whether you can stop taking them. Despite all this, you may not be able to avoid thyroiditis.
Thyroiditis Treatment
Treatment for thyroiditis depends on the type of disease and the symptoms you have.
If you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism, your doctor may prescribe a medicine called a beta blocker. This helps to lower your heart rate and reduce shaking. As hyperthyroidism is often temporary, your doctor will probably reduce the dose of this medicine as your symptoms improve.
If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism, your doctor may recommend thyroid hormone replacement therapy. These help to correct your body’s hormone levels and normalise your metabolism. Thyroid hormone replacement may require several check-ups to determine the correct treatment dose. If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, you will probably have to use this medication for the rest of your life. Hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s is usually permanent.
Talk to your doctor if you have pain in your thyroid. A mild anti-inflammatory may be recommended to manage the pain. Severe thyroid pain may require treatment with steroid therapy.
Living with Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis and its symptoms may be temporary. In this case, you will be able to lead a normal life after treatment. If the condition recurs or becomes permanent, periodic medical check-ups are necessary to manage the symptoms.
If you do not receive treatment, damage to your thyroid can continue and lead to further health problems. Women may have problems with fertility or children may be born with birth defects.
A slow thyroid can lead to heart disease, high cholesterol, weight gain and other conditions in both men and women.
