Thyroiditis

Overview

Definition

Thyroiditis: Varied group of disorder all characterized by some form of thyroid inflammation
Hyperthyroidism: denote conditions in which hyperfunction of the thyroid leads to thyrotoxicosis.
Hypothyroidism: Variety of abnormalities that cause insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones. The most common cause is autoimmune thyroid disease
Thyrotoxicosis: denotes the clinical, physiological, and biochemical findings that result when the tissues are exposed to excess thyroid hormone. It can arise in a variety of ways.

The term thyroiditis refers to a varied group of disorders all characterized by some form of thyroid inflammation. It includes conditions characterized by thyroid pain and tenderness and those with goiter without pain.Inflammation of the thyroid gland often leads to a transient thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism.

Clinical Manifestation

Acute thyroiditis

painful
tender thyroid
fever

De Quervain

Painful
Arthralgia
Respiratory tract infection
Malaise

Hashimoto’s (hypothryoidism)

Painless
Goiter
Thyroid rubbery consistency and an irregular surface.

Riedel thyroiditis (chronic fibrosing thyroiditis)

Hard woody consistency of thyroid

1/1

Diagnosis

Causes and characteristics of thyroiditis
Cause	Characteristic features
Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis	Grossly lymphocytic and fibrotic thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism
Postpartum thyoiditis	Lymphocytic thyroditis, transient thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism
Drug induced	Particularly with amiodarone
De Quevain	Thought to be viral in origin, multinuclear giant cells
Riedel thyroiditis	Extensive fibrosis of the thyroid
Radiation thyroiditis	Radiation injury, transient thyrotoxicosis