Thyroiditis: Symptoms and Treatment

Inflammation of thyroid gland is referred as thyroiditis. The thyroid gland, present in the lower neck, is an important gland that regulates the endocrine system of our body. The hormones secreted by the thyroid gland play a major role in the metabolic activities of our body. Regulation of blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate are some of the important functions of the thyroid hormones. Oversecretion or insufficient secretion of these hormones, due to damage to the thyroid gland, leads to thyroiditis.

Causes

An attack on the thyroid gland leads to its inflammation and damages thyroid cells. Most types of thyroiditis are caused due to the attack of anti-bodies on the thyroid gland. It is considered as an autoimmune disease, because the antibodies created by body cause attack the thyroid gland. Thyroiditis is a result of other autoimmune disorders like diabetes, arthritis, etc. Autoimmune diseases are disorders where antibodies, which attack healthy cells, are produced erroneously by the immune system. Viral infection and side-effects of some drugs (like interferon and amiodarone) are some other factors that may lead to inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Types

The following table gives a brief idea on the types of thyroiditis, their causes, symptoms and treatment. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common type.

Type of Thyroiditis	Causes	Symptoms	Neck Pain
Hashimoto's thyroiditis	Antibodies attack	Symptoms of hyperthyroidism	No
Subacute thyroiditis (de Quervain's thyroiditis)	Viral infection	Painful thyroid	Yes
Silent thyroiditis	Antibodies attack	Symptoms of hyperthyroidism	No
Postpartum thyroiditis	Antibodies attack after delivery of child	Symptoms of hyperthyroidism	No
Drug-induced thyroiditis	Drugs like: amiodarone, lithium, interferons and cytokines	Symptoms of hyperthyroidism	No
Radiation-induced thyroiditis	External beam radiation therapy for certain cancers.	Symptoms of hyperthyroidism	No
Acute thyroiditis	Infection due to any organism, mostly bacteria	Painful thyroid, fever and occasional symptoms of hyperthyroidism	Yes

Symptoms

Symptoms differ according to the type of thyroiditis. These symptoms depend on the speed with which the thyroid gland is getting enlarged. Rapid destruction of thyroid cells causes symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism. Following are some common symptoms.

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Depression
• Dry skin
• Neck pain

Diagnosis

Physical examination of the thyroid gland helps in finding out, if thyroid gland is enlarged. Thyroid blood test like TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), T4 and T3 give an account of the amount of thyroid hormones present in the blood. This helps to know the level of thyroid hormones in the blood. Thyroid scans are performed, which examine the functioning of the thyroid gland. Biopsy of the thyroid gland helps in knowing what are the factors that have led to the attack on the thyroid gland. The diagnosis will also reveal the type of thyroiditis that the patient is suffering from.

Risk Factors

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common thyroid disorder in US. Cases of thyroiditis are more common in women than in men. People above the age of 40 years, are more commonly affected. A list of risk factors that may cause thyroiditis is given below:

• Family history or a personal history of thyroiditis and/or immune system disorder, increases the risk of thyroiditis.
• Pregnancy
• Illness (viral/bacterial)
• Radiation therapy
• Medications, like amiodarone or lithium

Treatment

The type of the thyroiditis diagnosed, helps in deciding the type of treatment required. For a patient showing symptoms of hyperthyroidism, the doctor may prescribe drugs called beta blockers, that help in lowering the increased heart rate. Such patients may also be given the thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The hormone replacement therapy helps to restore the level of hormones in the body and leads to normal metabolic activities. It prevents further inflammation of the thyroid gland. Patients having pain in the throat due to inflammation of thyroid gland, are prescribed medications to reduce the pain. Severe throat pain is required to be treated with steroid therapy. Patients of thyroiditis need to be examined regularly to keep an eye on functioning of thyroid gland.

Thyroiditis may lead to serious health problems, if timely treatment is not given. 27 million people in US, are suffering from thyroid problems. These problems may result in a permanent damage of the thyroid gland. A physician should be consulted at the earliest, on observing any symptoms of the disease.