How to check for thyroiditis?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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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.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Does thyroiditis cause fever?

The causes of thyroiditis can be divided into subacute thyroiditis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Subacute thyroiditis is mainly due to viral infections, with apparent tenderness in the thyroid area, and this type of subacute thyroiditis can cause fever. Its treatment mainly involves non-steroidal medications, or steroids can be used during inflammation, The course of subacute thyroiditis is self-limiting and can be cured, whereas autoimmune thyroiditis is caused by autoantibodies that destroy the thyroid follicular cells, and this type of thyroiditis does not cause fever. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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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.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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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.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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What are the symptoms of acute thyroiditis?

Acute thyroiditis generally refers to acute suppurative thyroiditis, a type of pyogenic infectious disease. For instance, many patients may exhibit symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection or experience swelling, pain, or difficulty swallowing in the lateral aspect of the thyroid in the anterior neck following a fine needle aspiration biopsy of a thyroid nodule. The local skin over the thyroid may display erythema or heat, and some may also have systemic symptoms of a febrile disease, such as increased body temperature, generalized body aches, and fatigue, along with swelling and pain in the cervical lymph nodes. Thus, the primary symptoms of acute thyroiditis are infectious, accompanied by symptoms of compression pain due to thyroid enlargement.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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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.