Thyroiditis (inflamed thyroid) Repe tenga whakawaikura
Thyroiditis is a general term that means inflammation of your thyroid gland. Thyroiditis includes several different disorders including Hashimoto's disease, postpartum thyroiditis and acute thyroiditis.
Types of thyroiditis
Your thyroid is a gland in the front of your neck. It produces thyroid hormones, which help your body use energy and stay warm. They keep your brain, heart, muscles and other organs working as they should.
Your thyroid can become inflamed if you have one of these conditions.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the name for the inflammation that happens when your immune system attacks your thyroid. The inflammation damages your thyroid and can make it underactive. It is also known as Hashimoto's disease.
Postpartum thyroiditis
Postpartum thyroiditis happens to some women about 6 months after giving birth. It is caused by your immune system attacking your thyroid. Most women who get it have symptoms of an overactive thyroid for a few weeks then get symptoms of an underactive thyroid.
Postpartum thyroiditis is usually temporary and goes away when your baby is about one year old. But some women continue having an underactive thyroid and need to take thyroxine tablets.
Painless thyroiditis
Painless thyroiditis is similar to postpartum thyroiditis but both men and women can have it. It usually causes an overactive thyroid then an underactive thyroid. Most people get better after a few months.
Subacute thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis happens after you have had a virus, such as mumps or the flu. It usually causes pain in your thyroid and an overactive thyroid at first, followed by an underactive thyroid.
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Symptoms of thyroiditis
The symptoms of thyroiditis depend on what type you have and how long you have had it.
You may have the symptoms of an overactive thyroid, or an underactive thyroid. You may also get pain or swelling of your thyroid.
Diagnosing thyroiditis
Your healthcare provider will diagnose you with thyroiditis based on your symptoms and blood test results. You may also have a radionuclide thyroid scan.
Understanding your thyroid test results
Thyroid scan
Treating thyroiditis
If you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, you may need to take thyroxine tablets for the rest of your life. These replace the hormones that your thyroid should be making.
If you have any of the other types of thyroiditis, you may get better without any treatment. But if the symptoms of an overactive thyroid are bothering you, your healthcare provider may prescribe a beta blocker medicine to help treat your shaking and racing heart.
Anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen can help if the inflammation is causing you pain. Some people may also need steroids to help treat the inflammation.