Thyroiditis

Thyroiditis can occur due to several reasons, and it can be temporary in some cases and permanent in others, but it’s treatable in general.

Thyroiditis

Thyroiditis is a group of conditions that affects the thyroid gland, which produces essential hormones for the body’s metabolism. Thyroiditis can affect anyone, but it’s more common in women.

The three phases of thyroiditis:

• Thyrotoxic phase: the thyroid gland here is inflamed, and this leads to an increase in the secretion of hormones, which causes thyrotoxicosis.
• Hypothyroid phase: after a few weeks or months of increased thyroid hormones, there will be a lack of them.
• Euthyroid phase: the levels of the thyroid hormones here are normal.

Causes of thyroiditis

• Causes of thyroiditis differ depending on its type. It can occur due to an autoimmune disease, a viral or bacterial infection, following the treatment with radioactive iodine or external beam radiation therapy, certain medications (including amiodarone, lithium, interferons, and interleukin-2), and fibrosis of the thyroid.

Symptoms of thyroiditis

Symptoms of thyroiditis vary according to the type and phase:

• The thyrotoxic phase is usually short (1-3 months) and causes hyperthyroidism symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, increased appetite, unexplained weight loss, irritability, trouble sleeping, and increased heat sensitivity and sweating.
• The hypothyroid phase causes hypothyroidism symptoms, and it’s typically long-lasting and may become permanent. It causes unexplained weight gain, constipation, extreme tiredness, increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin, and depression.

Diagnosis of thyroiditis

• Physical exam.
• Thyroid function tests.
• Thyroid ultrasound.

Treatment of thyroiditis

• Treating thyroiditis depends on the cause and type.