The symptoms of a thyroidite

A thyroidite corresponds to inflammation of the thyroid gland. There are different types which are of different origin (autoimmune, viral, parasitic, infectious) which cause different symptoms. The most frequent is Hashimoto thyroidite: Of autoimmune origin, it mainly affects women. What are the symptoms of a thyroidite? What are the consequences? How to treat it?

Definition: What is a thyroidite?

Thyroidite East thyroid inflammation. It must be considered carefully because it can cause Thyroid destruction and so the disappearance of thyroid hormones in the bodywhose functions are numerous. It is most often caused by The manufacture of antibodies against the own fabrics Within the framework of autoimmune thyroidites (Hashimoto), but may in some cases be of infectious, viral or parasitic origin (subab of de Quervain, Chagas disease).

What is an autoimmune thyroidite?

There are several types of thyroidites, including the autoimmune thyroiditedue to the action of destruction of thyroid cells by the body’s own cells, the most described forms of which are Hashimoto thyroidite And Atrophic thyroidite.

What is a subabid-subiguelic thyroidite of De Quervain?

Thyroidite Suballe of Quervain is supposed to be viral origin. It appears suddenly and is marked by lively pain in front of the neck, often associated with influenza syndrome (fever, fatigue) and hyperthyroidism.

What is parasitic thyroidite?

Thyroidite parasitic or Chagas disease is due to the parasite named trypanosome.

What is the painless thyroidite of postpartum?

It is a thyroiditis of autoimmune origin which remains rare and which is characterized by the appearance of moderate hyperthyroidism after childbirth, with a goître and an absence of fixation of iodine by the thyroid.

What is acute thyroidite of infectious origin?

It is a very rare thyroidite which is due to the infection by a staphylococcus, a streptococcus or the bacillus of Koch (agent of tuberculosis). It is characterized by an abscess of the painful thyroid which should be drained by surgery and treat by antibiotic therapy.

What is Riedel’s fibrous thyroidite?

It is a thyroidite of unknown origin. It is exceptional and can, in the absence of surgical management, evolve towards asphyxiation by compression of the trachea.

What are the symptoms of a thyroidite?

As a rule, thyroidites are manifested by an increase in thyroid volumewith the characteristic form in important cases goitera sort of swelling located at the base of the neck. Goiter can itself be responsible for compression symptoms on the nearby organs: it can cause:

• respiratory discomfort,
• food disorders,
• swallowing disorders.

In addition, depending on the action generated by thyroiditis on the thyroid gland, symptoms can be those of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Mostly, the symptoms are those ofA deficit in thyroid hormones with in particular weight gain, constipation, retain, muscle cramps, bradycardia … But in the event of de Quervain thyroidite or in the initial phases of most autoimmune thyroidites, hyperthyroidism and its clinical signs are present.

In case of suspicion of thyroiditis, TSH dosagehormone normally stimulating the secretion of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, makes it possible to define the state of hyper or hypofunction. Afterwards, an ultrasound is frequently made in front of a goiter. Research on a blood test of inflammation markers or specific antibodies of autoimmune thyroidites is also often necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

What treatment to treat thyroiditis?

Thyroiditis of infectious origin calls on the specific treatment of the germ or the parasite in question. In cases of significant hypothyroidies, hormonal treatment, allowing the supply of thyroid hormones to supplant the non -functional gland, is necessary.

There is no particular prevention of thyroidite.

Thank you to Doctor Alain Scheimann, endocrinologist and author of and if it was the thyroid? (In Press, 2017) for its medical validation.