Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis: Excerpt from Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)
Inflammation of the thyroid gland occurs as autoimmune thyroiditis (long-term inflammatory disease), subacute granulomatous thyroiditis (self-limiting inflammation), Riedel’s thyroiditis (rare, invasive fibrotic process), and miscellaneous thyroiditis (acute suppurative, chronic infective, and chronic noninfective).
Causes and incidence
Autoimmune thyroiditis is due to antibodies to thyroid antigens in the blood. It may cause inflammation and lymphocytic infiltration (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). Glandular atrophy (myxedema) and Graves’ disease are linked to autoimmune thyroiditis.
Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis usually follows mumps, influenza, coxsackievirus, or adenovirus infection. Riedel’s thyroiditis is a rare condition of unknown etiology.
Miscellaneous thyroiditis results from bacterial invasion of the gland in acute suppurative thyroiditis; tuberculosis, syphilis, actinomycosis, or other infectious agents in the chronic infective form; and sarcoidosis and amyloidosis in chronic noninfective thyroiditis. Postpartum thyroiditis (silent thyroiditis) is another autoimmune disorder associated with transient thyroiditis in females within 1 year after delivery.
Thyroiditis is most prevalent among people ages 30 to 50 and is more common in females than in males. Incidence is highest in the Appalachian region of the United States.
Signs and symptoms
Autoimmune thyroiditis is usually asymptomatic and commonly occurs in females, with peak incidence in middle age. It’s the most prevalent cause of spontaneous hypothyroidism.
In subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, moderate thyroid enlargement may follow an upper respiratory tract infection or a sore throat. The thyroid may be painful and tender, and dysphagia may occur.
In Riedel’s thyroiditis, the gland enlarges slowly as it’s replaced by hard, fibrous tissues. This fibrosis may compress the trachea or the esophagus. The thyroid feels firm.
Clinical effects of miscellaneous thyroiditis are characteristic of pyogenic infection: fever, pain, tenderness, and reddened skin over the gland.
Diagnosis
Precise diagnosis depends on the type of thyroiditis:
❑ Autoimmune: high titers of thyroglobulin and microsomal antibodies present in serum
❑ Subacute granulomatous: elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, increased thyroid hormone levels, decreased thyroidal radioiodine uptake
❑ Chronic infective and noninfective: varied findings, depending on underlying infection or other disease.
Treatment
Appropriate treatment varies with the type of thyroiditis. Drug therapy includes levothyroxine for accompanying hypothyroidism, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs for mild subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, propranolol for transient hyperthyroidism, and steroids for severe episodes of acute inflammation. Suppurative thyroiditis requires antibiotic therapy. A partial thyroidectomy may be necessary to relieve tracheal or esophageal compression in Riedel’s thyroiditis.
Special considerations
Before treatment, obtain a patient history to identify underlying diseases that may cause thyroiditis, such as tuberculosis or a recent viral infection.
❑ Check the patient’s vital signs, and examine her neck for unusual swelling, enlargement, or redness. Provide a liquid diet if she has difficulty swallowing, especially when due to fibrosis. If the neck is swollen, measure and record the circumference daily to monitor progressive enlargement.
❑ Administer antibiotics as ordered, and report and record elevations in temperature.
❑ Instruct the patient to watch for and report signs of hypothyroidism (lethargy, restlessness, sensitivity to cold, forgetfulness, and dry skin), especially if she has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which often causes hypothyroidism.
❑ Check for signs of hyperthyroidism (nervousness, tachycardia, tremor, and weakness), which commonly occurs in subacute thyroiditis.
❑ After thyroidectomy, check vital signs every 15 to 30 minutes until the patient’s condition stabilizes. Stay alert for signs of tetany secondary to accidental parathyroid injury during surgery. Keep 10% calcium gluconate available for I.V. use if needed. Assess dressings frequently for excessive bleeding. Watch for signs of airway obstruction, such as difficulty in talking or increased swallowing; keep tracheotomy equipment handy.
❑ Explain to the patient that she’ll need lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy if hypothyroidism occurs. Tell her to watch for signs of overdosage, such as nervousness and palpitations.
Book Source Details
- Book Title: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)
- Author(s): Springhouse
- Year of Publication: 2005
- Copyright Details: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), Copyright © 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
More About Autoimmune thyroid diseases
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- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
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Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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