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Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis Symptoms and Treatment
Thyroiditis is categorized into acute thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, and chronic thyroiditis. The symptoms of acute and subacute thyroiditis often manifest initially like those of a viral infection, including cough, sore throat, fever, decreased appetite, muscle soreness, excessive sweating, and other symptoms of hyperthyroidism and upper respiratory infection. The treatment primarily involves symptomatic and supportive care, using antiviral medications since it is caused by viral infections. For patients with mild symptoms, non-steroidal medications are generally used, while corticosteroid treatment might be administered for moderate to severe cases. Symptoms of chronic thyroiditis, on the other hand, are generally not obvious in the early stages but in the late stages, they mainly present as symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as a sensitivity to cold, decreased appetite, slowed heart rate, and general edema. Hashimoto's thyroiditis might present as a moderately enlarged, hard thyroid gland, while atrophic thyroiditis shows symptoms associated with thyroid atrophy. Treatment mainly depends on thyroid function, supplementing thyroid hormones timely if hypothyroidism occurs. (Please consult a doctor before using any medications, and do not self-medicate.)
Is thyroiditis fever dangerous?
Fever symptoms in thyroiditis mainly refer to acute suppurative thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis. Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a purulent infectious disease, often a mixed bacterial infection, commonly occurring after upper respiratory infections or fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules. Symptoms can include thyroid enlargement, pain, difficulty swallowing, fever, and other systemic symptoms. Broad-spectrum antibiotics can be used for initial treatment. If the pathogen is identified, the type of antibiotic can be adjusted. Some patients may require incision and drainage if an abscess is present, and in very rare cases, complications such as tracheal obstruction or mediastinitis may occur. Additionally, patients with subacute thyroiditis may also experience fever, usually a mild to moderate increase in body temperature, and in some cases, it can reach 40°C. The fever typically peaks around the third to fourth day and subsides in about a week. Patients with this type of fever can generally use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and since subacute thyroiditis is a self-limiting disease, whether the fever in thyroiditis is dangerous depends on the situation.
Symptoms of thyroiditis
The symptoms of thyroiditis are related to the cause of the thyroid disease, and different causes lead to different symptoms of thyroiditis. Common subacute thyroiditis may cause pain in the neck and thyroid area, accompanied by fever and pain, and may present as migratory. The thyroid may appear locally enlarged and feel hard to the touch. If it is autoimmune thyroiditis, such as the most common Hashimoto's thyroiditis, there may be no symptoms in the early stages. As the disease progresses, transient symptoms of hyperthyroidism may occur, but these symptoms of hyperthyroidism can be cured and do not require special treatment. Then, as the disease progresses and more thyroid destruction occurs, symptoms of hypothyroidism may eventually develop.
Can thyroiditis be cured?
Whether thyroiditis can be cured depends on different situations. Subacute thyroiditis is a type of thyroiditis clinically characterized by neck pain and fever, which tends to heal on its own, meaning it can return to normal by itself. However, due to its symptoms of pain and fever, symptomatic treatment can be administered to improve symptoms. Acute suppurative thyroiditis is mainly a type of bacterial inflammation, and most patients can be cured with proper anti-infection treatment. However, more commonly seen in clinical practice are autoimmune-related thyroiditis, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which generally cannot be completely cured. Yet, with proper and long-term medication, thyroid function can be restored to normal and can maintain a stable state for a long time without significantly affecting health.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis symptoms
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the primary cause of hypothyroidism. The development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is closely linked to genetic factors and autoimmune abnormalities caused by disorders in iodine metabolism. The clinical manifestations of Hashimoto's thyroiditis vary, with the typical presentation being a diffuse, firm, painless, mild to moderate enlargement of the thyroid gland. Symptoms of compression in the neck and systemic symptoms are usually not prominent. Thyroid function may be normal or reduced, but thyroid autoantibodies such as thyroglobulin antibodies, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and thyroid-stimulating hormone antibodies are often present in the bloodstream. Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis often have a family history of autoimmune diseases.
Does thyroiditis require rest?
Some periods of thyroiditis require rest. The common types of thyroiditis clinically include subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis. Subacute thyroiditis has a relatively sudden onset, characterized by neck pain radiating to the back of the ear, fever, loss of appetite, tachycardia, muscle pain, excessive sweating, etc. If these acute symptoms are severe, rest is necessary, and treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids is required. If the symptoms are mild, involving only slight pain and discomfort, it might not be necessary to rest and one can continue working, but it is important to reduce the workload. In the case of autoimmune thyroiditis, most patients have a relatively stable condition and can carry on with normal work and life. However, if autoimmune thyroiditis enters a phase of hyperthyroidism with symptoms of high metabolism, it is also necessary to rest for a period. Some patients in the middle to late stages might experience symptoms of reduced thyroid function, such as dizziness, fatigue, chest tightness, and edema. If these conditions occur, it is appropriate to take some time to rest.
Does thyroiditis hurt?
Thyroiditis refers to a group of clinical diseases that involve the thyroid gland due to various reasons. Due to different causes, the clinical manifestations and prognosis of thyroiditis can vary significantly. Based on the duration of the disease, thyroiditis can be classified as acute, subacute, and chronic. Based on the cause, it can be divided into infectious, autoimmune, and radiation-induced thyroiditis, among others. Common types of thyroiditis that cause pain mainly include acute thyroiditis and subacute thyroiditis, while chronic thyroiditis, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, painless thyroiditis, and postpartum thyroiditis, generally do not cause pain.
Thyroiditis Clinical Symptoms
Thyroiditis usually refers to subacute thyroiditis in clinical terms, and its symptoms mainly include the following: Firstly, early stages of the disease typically involve neck pain accompanied by fever, which usually occurs in the afternoon or evening. If it coincides with hyperthyroidism, additional symptoms may include palpitations, weight loss, insomnia, tremors, excessive sweating, increased appetite, irritability, and mood swings commonly associated with hyperthyroidism. Therefore, if these symptoms are present, it is advised to promptly visit the endocrinology department of a hospital for a complete thyroid function test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood routine, and thyroid ultrasonography to establish a clear diagnosis.
Are people with thyroiditis afraid of heat?
Thyroiditis generally refers to subacute thyroiditis. It is a disease caused by the destruction of thyroid follicles due to a viral infection, leading to the release of thyroid hormones into the blood. In the early stages, some people may experience transient hyperthyroidism, with symptoms such as heat intolerance, excessive sweating, palpitations, insomnia, weight loss, and irritability. In addition to these symptoms, thyroiditis can also be accompanied by neck pain and fever, generally occurring in the afternoon or evening. Therefore, it is recommended that anyone with these symptoms should promptly visit an endocrinology specialist to complete thyroid function tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, routine blood tests, and thyroid ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.
Causes of thyroiditis
The causes of thyroiditis are mainly divided into several types: The first type is acute thyroiditis, which is mostly caused by bacterial infection. Some abscesses in the thyroid lead to fever and inflammation of the thyroid. Generally, anti-infection treatment can achieve a curative effect. The second type, subacute thyroiditis, is mostly caused by viral infections. It is a self-limiting disease that can be cured by using some analgesics, and even some hormonal medications. Chronic thyroiditis generally arises from autoimmune diseases. Often in the late stages, it causes reduced thyroid function. Since currently there are no drugs to intervene in autoimmune diseases, the main treatment is medication maintenance and control of thyroid function within the normal range. Therefore, the causes of thyroiditis need to be divided into acute, subacute, and chronic thyroiditis to distinguish its causes. (The use of medication should be done under the guidance of a professional doctor.)