Is thyroiditis serious?

Written by Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
Updated on December 04, 2024
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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 Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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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.

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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.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Does thyroiditis cause a sore throat?

Thyroiditis often refers to subacute thyroiditis, a disease caused by a viral infection. The most common symptoms include sore throat, fever, pain in the front of the neck, palpitations, and weight loss. Therefore, many people might think it is a throat inflammation and initially visit an otolaryngologist. In such cases, it is essential to promptly check thyroid function and perform a thyroid ultrasound, as well as examine erythrocyte sedimentation rate and complete blood count. If these symptoms occur, it is important to seek timely treatment from an endocrinology specialist.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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What are the symptoms of thyroiditis?

Subacute thyroiditis is commonly referred to, and it is frequently seen clinically with symptoms such as fever, pain in the neck, and mild hyperthyroidism symptoms in the early stages, such as palpitations, insomnia, weight loss, irritability, and increased frequency of bowel movements. Therefore, if you have these symptoms, it is important to promptly visit an endocrinology specialist to see if you are suffering from subacute thyroiditis. Diagnosis can be confirmed through blood tests, thyroid function tests, thyroid ultrasound, routine blood tests, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate tests.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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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.