Patient education: Thyroiditis (The Basics)

What is thyroiditis? — 

This is when a gland in the neck called the "thyroid" gets inflamed (figure 1). The thyroid makes thyroid hormone, which controls how the body uses and stores energy.

If you have thyroiditis, your thyroid gland leaks large amounts of thyroid hormone into your bloodstream. This causes a condition called "hyperthyroidism," which means too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism lasts only until the thyroid hormone stored in your gland is used up.

After that happens, you might not have enough thyroid hormone in your bloodstream. This causes a condition called "hypothyroidism," which means too little thyroid hormone. But once the inflammation goes away and your thyroid gland heals, it will start to make thyroid hormone again.

What causes thyroiditis? — 

Many different things can cause thyroiditis, including:

●Problems with the body's infection-fighting system, or "immune system" – If your immune system attacks healthy cells, including cells in your thyroid, it is called an "autoimmune response." This type of thyroiditis is sometimes called "painless" or "silent" thyroiditis."

●Pregnancy

●Medicines or radiation

●Infections

What are the symptoms of thyroiditis? — 

Some types of thyroiditis cause the thyroid gland to swell. This might also cause pain in the neck that can spread to the jaw and ears.

Most people with thyroiditis first have symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These usually last for up to 2 to 8 weeks. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

●Feeling weak or tired

●Losing weight without trying

●Fast or uneven heartbeat

●Sweating a lot, and trouble dealing with hot weather

●Feeling worried

●Trembling

Then, people with thyroiditis might fully recover, or they might develop symptoms of hypothyroidism. These usually last for up to 2 to 8 weeks. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

●Having no energy

●Feeling cold

●Constipation (trouble having bowel movements)

In most people with thyroiditis, thyroid hormone levels return to normal within 6 to 8 months.

Is there a test for thyroiditis? — 

Yes. Your doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. You will need blood tests called thyroid function tests.

Your doctor might also order other tests. They include:

●Thyroid scan – You get a pill or shot with a small amount of a radioactive substance. Then, a special camera takes pictures of your thyroid.

●Thyroid ultrasound – This uses sound waves to create pictures of the thyroid.

How is thyroiditis treated? — 

Treatment depends on your symptoms and what caused your thyroiditis. If you do not have symptoms, you might not need any treatment. But your doctor will check your thyroid function every so often to make sure it returns to normal.

If you have symptoms, your doctor might prescribe medicines, including:

●Thyroid hormone pills

●Pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin)

●Medicines called "beta blockers," which slow down the heart rate

●Antibiotics

More on this topic

Patient education: Thyroiditis after pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) (The Basics)
Patient education: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Radioiodine treatment for hyperthyroidism (The Basics)
Patient education: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) (The Basics)
Patient education: Graves' disease (The Basics)
Patient education: Thyroid-stimulating hormone test (The Basics)
Patient education: Thyroid uptake and scan (The Basics)

Patient education: Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) (Beyond the Basics)