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Thyroiditis
How to check for thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis is a general term. Clinically, the most common type is subacute thyroiditis, and another is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which are two different diseases. For subacute thyroiditis, the symptoms include fever, neck pain, and throat discomfort. Generally, the first step is to check thyroid function to see if there is hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The second step is to suggest antibody tests, including anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. The third suggestion is to conduct a routine blood test and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Fourth, a thyroid ultrasound is recommended. If necessary, a thyroid fine-needle aspiration may be performed for a definitive diagnosis. If it's Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune disease, a specific antibody, TPOAB or anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody, is used for diagnosis.
What department does thyroiditis fall under?
Thyroiditis is a common disease in endocrinology. Thyroiditis refers to the inflammation of the thyroid gland, which can be divided into two types: bacterial inflammation and autoimmune inflammation. Clinically, thyroiditis can be categorized into three types: the first is called acute suppurative thyroiditis, the second is called subacute thyroiditis, and the third is called chronic thyroiditis. Acute thyroiditis is a bacterial infection and the pathogens can be either bacteria or viruses. It is generally induced by an upper respiratory infection, which may trigger a bacterial or viral infection in the thyroid. Subacute thyroiditis is not a bacterial infection but an immunological inflammatory infection. The third type, chronic thyroiditis, is also known as Hashimoto's disease. All three types of thyroiditis can be treated in the department of endocrinology.
How is thyroiditis diagnosed?
Thyroiditis, clinically more commonly seen as subacute thyroiditis, is primarily caused by viral infections. The main clinical symptoms include pain in the anterior neck accompanied by fever, typically in the afternoon or evening. Upon examination, the thyroid is enlarged and tender. In terms of auxiliary examinations, blood tests reveal that some patients may have elevated white blood cells if there is a concurrent infection, and an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Furthermore, initially, there might be mild signs of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid ultrasound may suggest signs of subacute thyroiditis, and the iodine uptake rate is decreased. If further examination is desired, a fine needle aspiration of the thyroid can be performed to help comprehensively consider and confirm the diagnosis.
How is thyroiditis treated?
The treatment of thyroiditis begins first with ensuring adequate rest and avoiding strenuous physical activities. Secondly, if the patient experiences symptoms such as fever and neck pain, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications can be administered, such as celecoxib and indomethacin. Thirdly, if neck pain is particularly severe, integration with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments can be beneficial. In TCM, modifications of Xiao Chai Hu Tang can be used to clear heat and detoxify. At home, throat-soothing and pain-relieving medicines can be used, and locally applied Chinese herbal plasters can help reduce nodules and alleviate pain. If symptoms like fever and neck pain occur, it is essential to visit a hospital promptly for treatment under the guidance of a doctor.
Is thyroiditis contagious?
Thyroiditis, based on its cause, can be classified into subtypes such as subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis. Subacute thyroiditis is primarily caused by viral infections leading to the destruction of the thyroid follicular structure, and it is not contagious. Autoimmune thyroiditis primarily involves the presence of autoantibodies within the body, which lead to the destruction of thyroid follicles and consequently to the apoptosis of thyroid cells. This cause is also non-contagious. Therefore, thyroiditis cannot be transmitted, but it does have genetic susceptibility. For patients whose parents have thyroiditis, their children may also have thyroiditis.
Causes of Acute Thyroiditis
We generally refer to acute thyroiditis as an acute suppurative thyroiditis, which is a type of purulent infectious disease, often caused by a mixed bacterial infection, such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, gram-negative bacilli, and anaerobes, etc. Patients with compromised or deficient immune functions, such as those with AIDS, leukemia, diabetes, can also have infections like fungi and pneumocystis. Some thyroid nodules, due to events like necrosis or cystic changes from punctures, can also cause a suppurative infection, and this condition is generally common among middle-aged and elderly patients. Therefore, the main cause of acute thyroiditis is mostly due to infections.
Can thyroiditis cause a fever?
Thyroiditis is generally classified into three types. The first type is chronic thyroiditis, among which chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is common, also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune thyroid disease and generally does not cause fever. Another type is acute thyroiditis, where the local thyroid area, due to bacterial or viral infection, leads to a suppurative disease, which may be accompanied by fever. The third type is called subacute thyroiditis, which generally occurs after an upper respiratory tract infection and can manifest as thyroid pain, sometimes accompanied by symptoms of fever.
Initial symptoms of thyroiditis
If it is the early stage of subacute thyroiditis, the patient will experience a fever, mainly in the afternoon or at night. Secondly, there is pain when bending the neck forward, and many patients feel as if they have a sore throat and thus visit the otolaryngology department. Thirdly, in the early stages, the patient experiences transient hyperthyroidism, with symptoms such as palpitations, excessive sweating, weight loss, and insomnia. Therefore, with these symptoms, it is advisable to promptly visit an endocrinology specialist for further thyroid function tests and thyroid ultrasound, followed by a definitive diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.
Does thyroiditis hurt?
The most common causes of thyroiditis refer to subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis. Subacute thyroiditis is mainly caused by viral infection, leading to the destruction of thyroid follicular cells. This generally results in pain in the thyroid region, which can even radiate to areas like the back of the neck and ears, with the pain symptoms being relatively significant. Meanwhile, Hashimoto's thyroiditis typically does not present with pain, although a small number of patients may experience localized pain during the onset of the disease, but the symptoms are usually mild. Additionally, the pain in the neck thyroid region associated with subacute thyroiditis varies from person to person, with varying degrees of pain intensity. It is primarily treatable with steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and generally, the symptoms can be relieved after treatment.
Re-examination of thyroiditis includes checking for what?
Thyroiditis includes autoimmune thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis. For patients with subacute thyroiditis, it is recommended to check thyroid function, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and complete blood count among others to understand the control of the infection and the status of thyroid function. For autoimmune thyroiditis, it is advised to check thyroid function as well as thyroperoxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies to understand the function of the thyroid and the related antibody status. Additionally, a re-examination of thyroid ultrasound is recommended to assess the condition of the thyroid.