Thyroiditis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland found near the base of the throat. The condition may or may not produce changes in thyroid function. There are various types of thyroiditis. For example, some women experience postpartum thyroiditis, which typically clears up on its own a few weeks after delivery. The most common form of thyroiditis is called Hashimoto's disease. In this disorder, the immune system creates antibodies that attack the thyroid gland and cause the inflammation. All forms of thyroiditis can be treated.

Causes

Thyroiditis is typically caused by malfunction of the immune system, but it can also be brought on by various viruses, such as those responsible for mumps and influenza. In some cases, it is the result of a bacterial infection of the thyroid gland, but this is rare.

Signs/Symptoms

The most common sign is an enlarged, painful thyroid gland or a feeling of fullness in the neck. This may be accompanied by fever and sometimes pain in the jaw or ears.

Care

Thyroiditis is treated with medication. Your doctor will first conduct a blood test to evaluate the activity of the thyroid gland and determine the levels of thyroid hormone in your system. Depending on the type of thyroiditis he finds, the doctor is then likely to prescribe either anti-thyroid medication or thyroid replacement hormones. If your thyroid levels are high, you may also be prescribed a beta-adrenergic blocking drug such as Inderal to suppress symptoms of an overactive thyroid. In mild cases, the only treatment may be aspirin or possibly steroids to reduce the inflammation. Antibiotics are prescribed only if a bacterial infection is involved.

Risks

Although in some cases people recover from thyroiditis spontaneously, this condition can lead to a permanent loss of thyroid function or a thyroid disorder such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism if initially neglected. With prompt treatment, however, most people recover without lasting harm.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Take your medications directly as prescribed. In some cases, the medication must be tapered off slowly. Follow dosage instructions carefully. Stopping the medication abruptly could cause the condition to return.
• You may wish to rest for a few days following the start of treatment, but you can resume normal activities as soon as you feel up to it.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You develop a fever.
• You feel the medications are not working or you begin to experience unpleasant side effects from them.
• Your thyroid gland becomes painful or swollen.
• You begin losing energy and start becoming consistently lethargic.