Thyroiditis
What is thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland which
is located in front of the neck:
What is the cause of thyroiditis?
The inflamed thyroid gland can release an excess of thyroid hormones into the blood
stream,
resulting in a temporary hyperthyroid
state. Once the thyroid gland is depleted of thyroid hormones, the patient
commonly goes through a hypothyroid (low
thyroid) phase. This phase
can last 3-6 months until the thyroid gland fully recovers.
How is thyroiditis diagnosed?
Thyroiditis can be diagnosed based on tenderness and
enlargement of the thyroid gland. In some forms of thyroiditis, such as
autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), there may
be no tenderness or swelling of the thyroid gland. A
thyroid scan (a picture taken of the thyroid gland after
radioactive iodine is taken by
mouth) sometimes is used in making the diagnosis. Thyroiditis can also be
diagnosed with a biopsy of the thyroid gland.
Last Editorial Review: 1/24/2005
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