What is thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis is a general term for an infection of the thyroid gland; there are different types of thyroiditis that cause inflammation in different ways, and the patient’s course of treatment depends on the type of thyroiditis they have. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland aid in regulating the body’s growth and metabolism. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, De Quervain’s thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis, drug-induced thyroiditis, radiation-induced thyroiditis, infectious thyroiditis, and silent (or painless) thyroiditis are among the various forms of thyroiditis.
What are the symptoms of thyroiditis?
The type of thyroiditis that is contracted determines the symptoms. For instance, De Quervain’s thyroiditis can result in fever, as well as jaw, neck, and ear pain. Additionally, the thyroid gland may overproduce thyroid hormone, which can result in hyperthyroidism symptoms like anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia.
Postpartum thyroiditis, which affects a very small percentage of women soon after giving birth, also presents with symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland. Acute thyroiditis, drug-induced thyroiditis, radiation-induced thyroiditis, and silent thyroiditis can all present with these symptoms. On the other hand, these thyroiditis types may exhibit signs of an underactive thyroid gland.
Symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland include:
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling weak, or muscle weakness
- Lack of sexual interest
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Hyperactivity
- Fatigue
- Diarrhoea
- An increased need to urinate
An underactive thyroid gland produces symptoms including:
- Weight gain
- Being constipated
- Muscle cramps
- Dry skin
- Hair and nails breaking easily or feeling brittle
- Loss of sex drive
- Irregular periods
- Heavy periods
- Depression
- Feeling sensitive to the cold
What causes thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis can have a variety of causes because it can take many different forms. The immune system attacking the thyroid gland is the cause of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. A viral infection, like the flu, is the cause of De Quervain’s thyroiditis. Although it is more common in women with type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis can also strike women who have recently given birth. Thyroiditis can also result from radiation (such as from radiotherapy) and some drugs that affect the thyroid gland. Finally, an infection may be the cause of infectious thyroiditis, also known as acute thyroiditis.
How can thyroiditis be prevented?
The majority of thyroiditis types cannot be avoided, but taking care of your body and changing your lifestyle can help if you get infected. Exercise frequently, drink sparingly, and quit smoking if you smoke.
What is the treatment for thyroiditis?
The type of thyroiditis a patient has determines the course of treatment. An autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can go undetected for months or even years. Since Hashimoto’s thyroiditis cannot be cured, treatment focuses on symptom relief.
Medication that aims to restore normal thyroid function can be used to treat other types of thyroiditis. Ibuprofen and other over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to relieve pain.
Low thyroid hormone levels brought on by thyroiditis can occasionally necessitate hormone replacement treatment. Often, this treatment lasts a lifetime. Antibiotics may be used to treat infectious thyroiditis, and surgery is typically required to remove the abnormal thyroid portion in children.
To treat thyroiditis, you can see an endocrinologist.