What Are the Symptoms of An Inflamed Thyroid?

Thyroiditis is the inflammation of the thyroid gland causing different symptoms based on the type -- hyperthyroidism means the gland is overproducing hormones, while hypothyroidism is the opposite. Both can be caused by thyroiditis.

Inflammation of the thyroid gland is called thyroiditis. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located below the Adam's apple in the lower part of the neck and wraps around the windpipe (trachea). 

Thyroiditis refers to a group of disorders that cause inflammation of the thyroid, but which present in different ways, such as:

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: the most common cause of low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) in the U.S. 
• Postpartum thyroiditis: temporary high thyroid hormone levels in the blood (thyrotoxicosis) followed by temporary hypothyroidism after the delivery of a baby
• Subacute thyroiditis or de Quervain’s thyroiditis: a major cause of pain in the thyroid
• Drug-induced thyroiditis: results from taking drugs such as interferon, amiodarone, lithium, and cytokines
• Radiation-induced thyroiditis: caused by radiation treatments for cancer, or by radioactive iodine used to treat hyperthyroidism 
• Acute thyroiditis or suppurative thyroiditis (rare): caused by an infection

Symptoms of inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) include:

• Low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism)
  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Constipation
  • Dry skin
  • Depression 
  • Reduced exercise tolerance
  • Problems with concentration and mental focus
• High thyroid hormone levels in the blood (hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis) 
  • Anxiety
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Heart palpitations (fast heart rate)
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Irritability
  • Sweating/heat intolerance
  • Increased appetite
• Tremors
• Pain in the thyroid 

Inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) is caused by some sort of attack on the thyroid, such as:

• Antibodies (the most common cause), such as in autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
• Infection from viruses or bacteria
• Use of drugs such as interferon, amiodarone, lithium, and cytokines
• Radiation treatments for cancer or radioactive iodine used to treat hyperthyroidism 

Tests for inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) may include:

• Thyroid function tests 
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
  • T3 and T4 in the blood
• Thyroid antibody tests to measure thyroid antibodies 
  • Antithyroid (microsomal) antibodies (TPO) 
  • Thyroid receptor stimulating antibodies (TRAb)
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate) to measure inflammation 
• Ultrasound of the thyroid which may show:
  • Nodules (growths) 
  • Changes in blood flow (Doppler mode) 
  • Echo texture (intensity/density) of the gland
• Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) 

Treatment for inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) depends on the type of thyroiditis and the symptoms.

• Treatment for thyrotoxicosis includes beta blockers to decrease palpitations (fast heart rate) and decrease tremors 
• Treatment for low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) includes thyroid hormone replacement 
• Treatment for thyroid pain includes anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Steroids such as prednisone may be used if pain is severe.