The term thyroiditis refers generally to any disorder that involves inflammation of the thyroid. The following articles explore a variety of different forms of thyroiditis.
Among the category of painful types of thyroiditis is a form known as subacute granulomatous thyroiditis. It also is known as subacute nonsuppurative thyroiditis, de Quervain's thyroiditis, or painful subacute thyroiditis. Symptoms of subacute granulamatous thyroiditis typically include neck pain and tenderness. Some patients experience difficulty swallowing or fever. The cause of the condition is thought to be a virus. Find out more about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this form of thyroiditis.
Among the category of painful types of thyroiditis is a form known as acute infectious thyroiditis. Acute infectious thyroiditis is usually caused by a bacterial infection -- often with staph or strep bacteria -- that then causes an asbcess in the thyroid gland. Find out more about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this form of thyroiditis.
Painless thyroiditis is also frequently referred to as silent thyroiditis or subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis. It's thought that painless thyroiditis may be responsible for as much as 10 percent of hyperthyroidism, because the typical course of painless thyroiditis is a temporary period of hyperthyroidism, which is then sometimes followed by a period of hypothyroidism, and then a return to normal thyroid function. In painless thyroiditis, your thyroid usually does not become enlarged. Find out more about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this form of thyroiditis.
Among the category of painless types of thyroiditis is a form known as Riedel's thyroiditis. It is also known as Riedel's struma, fibrous thyroiditis, and invasive thyroiditis. In Riedel's thyroiditis, the normal thyroid tissue is replaced by what's known as fibrosis -- excessive amounts of connective tissue. This fibrosis can also extend beyond the thyroid into other parts of the neck, and cause the thyroid to become abnormally attached within the neck. Find out more about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this form of thyroiditis.
Among the category of painless types of thyroiditis is postpartum thyroiditis. Postpartum thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid that initially occurs in the first year after childbirth, miscarriage, or induced abortion. It's considered a variation of autoimmune thyroiditis, also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Find out more about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this form of thyroiditis.
