- 1. Hashimoto's thyroiditis (chronic thyroiditis)
- 2. Quervain's thyroiditis (subacute thyroiditis)
- 3. Lymphocytic thyroiditis (silent thyroiditis)
- 4. Riedel's thyroiditis (fibrous thyroiditis)
- 5. Other thyroiditis
Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid, which can happen due to several causes such as immunity changes, infections or the use of medicines, therefore, it is divided into different types such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, lymphocytic thyroiditis, Quervain thyroiditis or fibrous thyroiditis, by example.
Thyroiditis can occur acutely, with rapid evolution, or it can happen more gradually, as in subacute or chronic thyroiditis. Some of the symptoms that may indicate this inflammation include pain in the neck area, difficulty swallowing, fever and chills, always varying according to the type, in addition to causing consequences such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Learn about the main diseases that can affect the thyroid.
In many cases, thyroiditis is curable, however, the treatment and evolution of each case varies according to the type of thyroiditis and the reaction of each person's body. To correctly identify a thyroiditis and what to do to treat it, it is necessary to consult with the endocrinologist, however, we will talk here a little about each of the main types:
1. Hashimoto's thyroiditis (chronic thyroiditis)
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common type of chronic thyroiditis, which is more common in women aged 30 to 50, although it can appear at any stage of life. It is an autoimmune disease, in which the body produces antibodies that end up attacking the thyroid cells, causing inflammation and changes in their function.
- Symptoms: the main symptom is the appearance of a goiter, which is an enlarged thyroid, and it is not common to cause pain. There may also be symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as tiredness, drowsiness, dry skin and lack of concentration, for example, however, it can also alternate with periods of hyperthyroidism, with symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia and weight loss; Treatment: it is usually done with the replacement of thyroid hormones, with the use of Levothyroxine, however, its indication depends on the values of thyroid function, reflected in the blood tests of TSH and free T4.
To learn more about how to identify and treat this disease, check out Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
2. Quervain's thyroiditis (subacute thyroiditis)
Although its exact causes are not clarified, it is known that this thyroiditis can be caused by infections by viruses, such as mumps, influenza, adenovirus, ecovirus or Coxsackie, for example, being more common in women aged 30 to 50 years. This disease causes intense inflammation in the thyroid and the destruction of its cells.
- Symptoms: pain in the thyroid area, which can radiate to the jaw or ears. The gland may be slightly enlarged, causing a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. There may also be symptoms of respiratory tract infection, such as coughing and secretion production. As thyroid injury can cause the release of thyroid hormones into the circulation, there may be symptoms of hyperthyroidism and, at a later stage, hypothyroidism; Treatment: it is done with drugs to relieve symptoms, especially with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen or Nimesulide, for example. In cases of severe or persistent symptoms, the use of corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, is indicated.
To confirm this type of thyroiditis, the doctor may order tests such as ESR, which identifies the presence of inflammation, in addition to the radioactive iodine uptake test, which assesses thyroid function. If there are still doubts, the doctor may perform a puncture of the thyroid, which can rule out other causes, such as a cyst or cancer for example.
3. Lymphocytic thyroiditis (silent thyroiditis)
Lymphocytic thyroiditis, also known as silent or painless, is also caused by autoimmunity, in which antibodies produced in the body attack the thyroid, being more common in women aged 30 to 60 years.
- Symptoms: it does not usually cause pain or tenderness in the thyroid, however, it causes the release of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream, which can cause a period with symptoms of hyperthyroidism, which usually recovers in a few weeks to months. In some cases, there may also be a brief period of hypothyroidism; Treatment: there is no specific treatment, indicating the control of symptoms of hyperthyroidism, and it may be necessary to use medications such as Propranolol to control the heartbeat in hyperthyroidism or the replacement of hormones in the hypothyroid phase, for example.
When this type of thyroiditis affects women up to 1 year after pregnancy, it is called Postpartum Thyroiditis, which causes similar symptoms and treatment.
4. Riedel's thyroiditis (fibrous thyroiditis)
It is another cause of chronic thyroiditis, however, much rarer, which causes lesions and fibrosis in the thyroid slowly and gradually, which can lead to hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms: painlessly causes an enlargement of the thyroid, but it can cause a feeling of heaviness in the neck, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, feeling of suffocation and shortness of breath; Treatment: it is done with drugs to reduce inflammatory activity, such as corticosteroids, Tamoxifen or Methotrexate, for example. Thyroid hormone replacement may also be indicated when thyroid function is impaired.
The diagnosis of Riedel's thyroiditis is made with puncture and aspiration of the thyroid, which will highlight the lesions.
5. Other thyroiditis
Other less common causes of thyroiditis include those caused by intoxication with certain medications, such as chemotherapy or Amiodarone for example. Actinic thyroiditis is caused by radiation treatments in the neck region, which can cause inflammation or inhibition of thyroid cell function.
There are also thyroiditis caused by infections by bacteria such as Staphylococci and Streptococci, or by fungi, such as Aspergillus or Candida, for example, or even by some parasites and mycobacteria.
