Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis cause fever?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Hashimoto's thyroiditis belongs to autoimmune thyroiditis, where the body's own antibodies destroy the thyroid follicular cells, leading to apoptosis of thyroid cells. As the disease progresses, it may lead to hypothyroidism. Generally, Hashimoto's thyroiditis does not cause fever. If a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis experiences a fever, it is necessary to exclude other infectious diseases. If a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis has a fever, especially if there is significant tenderness in the thyroid area, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of concomitant subacute thyroiditis. If Hashimoto's thyroiditis is accompanied by subacute thyroiditis, small doses of hormones can be used for treatment. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Is Hashimoto's thyroiditis contagious?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease, which is neither hereditary nor contagious, but it does tend to run in families. If parents have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, their children are at a relatively higher risk of developing the disease. Therefore, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not contagious, so everyone can be reassured. As for the treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, if hypothyroidism occurs, one simply needs to take levothyroxine on time for replacement therapy to restore thyroid function to normal levels without any special discomfort. When the thyroid gland in Hashimoto's thyroiditis is relatively large and causes significant compression symptoms, surgical treatment can be considered. Therefore, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not contagious, nor is it hereditary, but it does have a familial clustering tendency.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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What are the symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease. Its main manifestation includes possible enlargement of the thyroid in some people. If Hashimoto's thyroiditis is accompanied by hypothyroidism, symptoms may include general fatigue, constipation, bradycardia, and edema. If these symptoms are present, it is important to visit an endocrinology specialist promptly for further thyroid function tests, thyroid ultrasonography, thyroid peroxidase antibody tests, and other examinations to confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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How to test for Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is a common type of autoimmune thyroid disease and the main cause of primary hypothyroidism. Often, Hashimoto's thyroiditis may present no symptoms, having hidden onset and slow development. Typical symptoms include general fatigue, throat discomfort, localized pressure, or dull pain. Hashimoto's thyroiditis can lead to damage by the autoimmune system, causing permanent hypothyroidism. Diagnosis can be facilitated through thyroid function tests, iodine-131 uptake tests, anti-thyroid antibody tests, thyroid ultrasound, and thyroid nuclear scanning.

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Written by Li Hu Chen
Imaging Center
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Ultrasonic manifestations of Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Under ultrasound observation, Hashimoto's thyroiditis generally presents as a diffuse enlargement of the thyroid, often symmetrically, although there are cases of unilateral enlargement as well. Additionally, the surface of the thyroid appears irregular and nodular. The ultrasound often reveals uneven echogenicity in the gland, sometimes with nodular changes and unclear boundaries. However, the ultrasonographic characteristics of Hashimoto's thyroiditis are not particularly specific unless it's a typical case of the disease, which can be roughly diagnosed via ultrasound. For atypical or early cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, diagnosis typically requires thyroid function tests, known as the "thyroid function six-item test," which remains the gold standard for diagnosing Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Can you get pregnant with Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis can lead to pregnancy, but the prerequisite is that you must visit an endocrinology specialist before pregnancy to check your thyroid function, ensuring that the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is controlled below 2.5. This situation is suitable for pregnancy because if TSH is greater than 2.5, it is likely to have a certain impact on the fetus's intelligence. Therefore, if you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and are planning to conceive, you first need to check the thyroid function. If this indicator is normal, then you can consider pregnancy.