Can thyroiditis be cured?

Written by Zhang Li
Endocrinology
Updated on May 20, 2025
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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.

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What department does thyroiditis fall under?

Thyroiditis is a common disease in endocrinology. Thyroiditis refers to the inflammation of the thyroid gland, which can be divided into two types: bacterial inflammation and autoimmune inflammation. Clinically, thyroiditis can be categorized into three types: the first is called acute suppurative thyroiditis, the second is called subacute thyroiditis, and the third is called chronic thyroiditis. Acute thyroiditis is a bacterial infection and the pathogens can be either bacteria or viruses. It is generally induced by an upper respiratory infection, which may trigger a bacterial or viral infection in the thyroid. Subacute thyroiditis is not a bacterial infection but an immunological inflammatory infection. The third type, chronic thyroiditis, is also known as Hashimoto's disease. All three types of thyroiditis can be treated in the department of 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.

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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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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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Where is the best place to perform moxibustion for thyroiditis?

Thyroiditis is relatively common in clinical practice, but we have not yet found that moxibustion directly helps with thyroiditis, so we do not recommend using moxibustion for treatment. Especially for types of thyroiditis that may cause an increase in thyroid hormone release, such as the acute phase of subacute thyroiditis. If moxibustion is applied directly near the thyroid region, it could potentially cause an increase in thyroid hormone release, exacerbating existing symptoms and hindering recovery. When we suffer from thyroiditis, we should choose appropriate treatment plans according to different types. For autoimmune thyroiditis, we can use treatments that regulate immunity, provide symptomatic relief, and supplement or replace hormone levels. Some painless thyroiditis may only require regular follow-ups. For cases of thyroiditis that also involve thyroid enlargement, treatment options like iodine-131 or surgery can be considered depending on the functional status.