How is thyroiditis treated?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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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.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Thyroiditis Clinical Symptoms

Thyroiditis usually refers to subacute thyroiditis in clinical terms, and its symptoms mainly include the following: Firstly, early stages of the disease typically involve neck pain accompanied by fever, which usually occurs in the afternoon or evening. If it coincides with hyperthyroidism, additional symptoms may include palpitations, weight loss, insomnia, tremors, excessive sweating, increased appetite, irritability, and mood swings commonly associated with hyperthyroidism. Therefore, if these symptoms are present, it is advised to promptly visit the endocrinology department of a hospital for a complete thyroid function test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood routine, and thyroid ultrasonography to establish a clear diagnosis.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun
Endocrinology
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There are several types of thyroiditis.

Thyroiditis primarily includes acute, subacute, and chronic forms. Acute and subacute thyroiditis are generally seen in bacterial and viral infections, while chronic thyroiditis mainly consists of autoimmune thyroiditis, painless thyroiditis, and postpartum thyroiditis. However, autoimmune thyroiditis itself encompasses five scenarios, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, atrophic thyroiditis, painless thyroiditis, euthyroid thyroiditis, and Hashitoxicosis. These types of thyroiditis are mainly seen in chronic thyroid conditions and are all autoimmune diseases. Therefore, the type of thyroiditis should be determined based on the cause to develop appropriate treatment plans.

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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.

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Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
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Is thyroiditis serious?

Thyroiditis, in simpler terms, refers to inflammation of the thyroid gland, making it easier for non-medical individuals to understand. Clinically, subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis are more common types of thyroid inflammation. These two have different causes and thus present different symptoms. Subacute thyroiditis might display severe symptoms as patients often experience significant thyroid pain and even general discomfort and muscle pain, which are relatively intense. However, if medications are administered during the acute phase, it might not necessarily have long-term effects on these patients. On the other hand, patients with autoimmune thyroiditis may not show obvious clinical symptoms, but they are prone to develop permanent hypothyroidism later, requiring lifelong thyroid hormone supplementation. (Specific medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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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.