What are the symptoms of thyroiditis?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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The symptoms of thyroiditis, if in the early stages, include fever, particularly in the afternoon and evening, with some individuals' temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius. Secondly, there is neck pain, which is tender to touch. Thirdly, there may be mild symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as palpitations, insomnia, irritability, weight loss, and increased frequency of bowel movements. If these symptoms are present, it is important to seek medical attention promptly and undergo diagnosis and treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

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Is thyroiditis contagious?

Thyroiditis, based on its cause, can be classified into subtypes such as subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis. Subacute thyroiditis is primarily caused by viral infections leading to the destruction of the thyroid follicular structure, and it is not contagious. Autoimmune thyroiditis primarily involves the presence of autoantibodies within the body, which lead to the destruction of thyroid follicles and consequently to the apoptosis of thyroid cells. This cause is also non-contagious. Therefore, thyroiditis cannot be transmitted, but it does have genetic susceptibility. For patients whose parents have thyroiditis, their children may also have thyroiditis.

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Is thyroiditis serious?

Thyroiditis, in simpler terms, refers to inflammation of the thyroid gland, making it easier for non-medical individuals to understand. Clinically, subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis are more common types of thyroid inflammation. These two have different causes and thus present different symptoms. Subacute thyroiditis might display severe symptoms as patients often experience significant thyroid pain and even general discomfort and muscle pain, which are relatively intense. However, if medications are administered during the acute phase, it might not necessarily have long-term effects on these patients. On the other hand, patients with autoimmune thyroiditis may not show obvious clinical symptoms, but they are prone to develop permanent hypothyroidism later, requiring lifelong thyroid hormone supplementation. (Specific medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Chen Xie
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Does thyroiditis hurt?

The most common causes of thyroiditis refer to subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis. Subacute thyroiditis is mainly caused by viral infection, leading to the destruction of thyroid follicular cells. This generally results in pain in the thyroid region, which can even radiate to areas like the back of the neck and ears, with the pain symptoms being relatively significant. Meanwhile, Hashimoto's thyroiditis typically does not present with pain, although a small number of patients may experience localized pain during the onset of the disease, but the symptoms are usually mild. Additionally, the pain in the neck thyroid region associated with subacute thyroiditis varies from person to person, with varying degrees of pain intensity. It is primarily treatable with steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and generally, the symptoms can be relieved after treatment.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Initial symptoms of thyroiditis

If it is the early stage of subacute thyroiditis, the patient will experience a fever, mainly in the afternoon or at night. Secondly, there is pain when bending the neck forward, and many patients feel as if they have a sore throat and thus visit the otolaryngology department. Thirdly, in the early stages, the patient experiences transient hyperthyroidism, with symptoms such as palpitations, excessive sweating, weight loss, and insomnia. Therefore, with these symptoms, it is advisable to promptly visit an endocrinology specialist for further thyroid function tests and thyroid ultrasound, followed by a definitive diagnosis and comprehensive treatment.

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Causes of Acute Thyroiditis

We generally refer to acute thyroiditis as an acute suppurative thyroiditis, which is a type of purulent infectious disease, often caused by a mixed bacterial infection, such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, gram-negative bacilli, and anaerobes, etc. Patients with compromised or deficient immune functions, such as those with AIDS, leukemia, diabetes, can also have infections like fungi and pneumocystis. Some thyroid nodules, due to events like necrosis or cystic changes from punctures, can also cause a suppurative infection, and this condition is generally common among middle-aged and elderly patients. Therefore, the main cause of acute thyroiditis is mostly due to infections.