Can thyroiditis cause a fever?

Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Thyroiditis is generally classified into three types. The first type is chronic thyroiditis, among which chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is common, also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune thyroid disease and generally does not cause fever. Another type is acute thyroiditis, where the local thyroid area, due to bacterial or viral infection, leads to a suppurative disease, which may be accompanied by fever. The third type is called subacute thyroiditis, which generally occurs after an upper respiratory tract infection and can manifest as thyroid pain, sometimes accompanied by symptoms of fever.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min 33sec home-news-image

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.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Does thyroiditis cause a sore throat?

Thyroiditis often refers to subacute thyroiditis, a disease caused by a viral infection. The most common symptoms include sore throat, fever, pain in the front of the neck, palpitations, and weight loss. Therefore, many people might think it is a throat inflammation and initially visit an otolaryngologist. In such cases, it is essential to promptly check thyroid function and perform a thyroid ultrasound, as well as examine erythrocyte sedimentation rate and complete blood count. If these symptoms occur, it is important to seek timely treatment from an endocrinology specialist.

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Written by Liang Yin
Endocrinology
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Symptoms of hypothyroidism in thyroiditis

There are many types of thyroiditis, and the most common one associated with hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include multi-system involvement. In the nervous system, it manifests as reduced memory and attention, and drowsiness; in the cardiovascular system, it presents as bradycardia, faint heart sounds, and cardiac enlargement; in the musculoskeletal system, it manifests as slowed movement and joint disorders; in the digestive system, it presents as loss of appetite, bloating, and constipation; in the respiratory system, it manifests as weak and shallow breathing; in the hematologic system, it can manifest as anemia; in the endocrine system, it can present as reduced gonadal function accompanied by hyperprolactinemia, menorrhagia, amenorrhea or infertility, hair loss, and the skin and mucous membranes appear pale with myxedema.

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Written by Xu Dong Dong
Endocrinology
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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.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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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.