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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

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis »

Introduction to Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It is named after the first doctor who described this condition, Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto, in 1912.

What causes Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a condition caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body inappropriately attacks the thyroid gland--as if it was foreign tissue. The underlying cause of the autoimmune process still is unknown. Hashimoto's thyroiditis tends to occur in families, and is associated with a clustering of other autoimmune conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, and celiac disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is 5-10 times more common in women than in men and most often starts in adulthood. Blood drawn from patients with Hashimoto's throiditis reveals an increased number of antibodies to the enzyme, thyroid pero...

Read the Hashimoto's Thyroiditis article »




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