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Thyroiditis

What is thyroiditis?

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland which is located in front of the neck:


Thyroid Gland - Thyroiditis

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.


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Thyroiditis

Hyperthyroidism »

What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which an overactive thyroid gland is producing an excessive amount of thyroid hormones that circulate in the blood. ("Hyper" means "over" in Greek). Thyrotoxicosis is a toxic condition that is caused by an excess of thyroid hormones from any cause. Thyrotoxicosis can be caused by an excessive intake of thyroid hormone or by overproduction of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Because both physicians and patients often use these words interchangeably, we will take some liberty by using the term "hyperthyroidism" throughout this article.

What are thyroid hormones?

Thyroid hormones stimulate the metabolism of cells. They are produced by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple. The gland wraps around the windpipe (trachea) and has a shape that is similar to a butterfly formed by two wings (lobe...

Read the Hyperthyroidism article »




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