Guest Author - Jim Lowrance
There are several types of thyroiditis and following below are descriptions of four common types that affect millions of people world wide and, when combined, are at least five times more common in women than in men.
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. This type thyroiditis is autoimmune-caused and results from antibodies attacking the thyroid gland after recognizing it as an intruder in the body. It is the most common type of thyroiditis in the United States and many other industrialized countries. Over time this attack causes damage to the gland and may also cause inflammation and swelling, referred to as "goiter". Most patients with this type of thyroiditis will experience damage to their thyroid gland over time, causing it to under-function and fail to supply the body with enough thyroid hormone. This resulting condition is called "hypothyroidism" and is treated by replacing the missing hormone with a dose of medication containing the proper amount needed. In some cases, people with Hashimoto's will experience a phase of hyperthyroidism referred to as "Hashitoxicosis". This type thyroiditis is usually lifelong in duration.
Postpartum thyroiditis/Silent Thyroiditis. Women who have given birth are most at risk for this type of thyroiditis. For as much as a year following child birth, women may experience inflammation in their thyroid glands. This causes a goiter that is usually temporary and painless (silent) but may also cause a temporary imbalance in thyroid hormone in the body. Some women first experience a phase of hyperthyroidism from Postpartum Thyroiditis, meaning their thyroid glands over-produce thyroid hormone, causing them a sped up metabolism. Following the hyperthyroid phase, they may begin experiencing a phase of hypothyroidism, meaning an under-active thyroid gland. For most women, this type of thyroiditis only requires temporary treatment and afterward their thyroid glands return to normal and the treatment can be discontinued. The duration of this type varies from a few weeks to a couple of months.
Subacute Thyroiditis/DeQuervain's Thyroiditis. With this type of thyroiditis, people experience a painful goiter that has a sudden onset. The cause of this type can be a respiratory or other infection, including viruses or bacteria that settle in the thyroid gland, causing swelling and inflammation (goiter). People experiencing this thyroiditis may also run a fever. Like postpartum thyroiditis, this type also manifests with hyperthyroidism but rarely transitions over to hypothyroidism afterward. Most cases will resolve on their own over time, but more severe cases may require slowing down the thyroid hormone production by administering an "anti-thyroid drug". If fever and inflammation become severe, a prescription anti-inflammatory may need to be prescribed, but most cases only require an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory. The duration of this type of thyroiditis is several weeks or months and rarely recurs.
Ord's Thyroiditis. This type of thyroiditis is autoimmune-caused, as is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but in the case of Ord's the thyroid gland reduces in size over time (atrophies/shrinks) and is more common in European countries. Many of the same characteristics that apply to Hashimoto's also apply to Ord's, including the possibility of it causing a phase of hyperthyroidism before causing progressive hypothyroidism. The distinction between the two however is the fact that Ord's is a non-goiterous type of autoimmune thyroiditis, while Hashimoto's is the goiterous type. Once hypothyroidism does occur, treatment is to replace the missing hormone with a dose of medication therapy that contains the proper amount of thyroid hormone.
If you experience swelling or tenderness in your thyroid gland or experience symptoms you feel indicate a sped up or slowed down metabolism, see your doctor as soon as possible for evaluation.
