Is thyroiditis serious?

Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
Updated on December 04, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
50sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
56sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
1min 11sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
1min 9sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
53sec home-news-image

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.