What are the symptoms of subacute thyroiditis?

There are many types of thyroiditis, such as acute and subacute. The disease is more common in middle-aged women. The onset is seasonal and common in summer. Patients often have upper respiratory tract infections. Generally speaking, the disease occurs within one to three weeks after the patient is infected with the virus. It must be treated early. So, what are the symptoms of subacute thyroiditis?

Subacute inflammation is also known as giant cell thyroiditis, granulomatous thyroiditis, pseudonodular thyroiditis, De Quervain thyroiditis, etc. This seems to be a very common disease. The main symptoms include fever, night sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite, and mild hyperthyroidism symptoms may appear in the early stage of the disease: palpitation, heat intolerance, sweating, tremor and nervous tension.

Subacute thyroiditis is also known as subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, (pseudo) giant cell thyroiditis, non-infectious thyroiditis, transitional thyroiditis, viral thyroiditis, DeQuervain thyroiditis, granulomatous thyroiditis thyroid anatomy deconstruction diagram or giant cell thyroiditis. It was first reported by DeQuervain in 1904. The incidence of this disease has gradually increased in recent years. The clinical changes are complex, misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis may occur, and it is easy to relapse, leading to a decline in health level, but most patients can recover. The disease may occur in different populations depending on the season or the epidemic of the virus. Typically, the entire disease period can be divided into three stages: early stage with hyperthyroidism, middle stage with hypothyroidism, and recovery stage.

1. Early days

The onset is usually sudden, with fever, accompanied by chills, fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite. The most characteristic symptom is pain and tenderness in the thyroid area, which often radiates to the submandibular area, behind the ear, or neck. The pain worsens when chewing and swallowing. The range of thyroid lesions varies, and may start in one lobe and then expand or transfer to another lobe, or always be limited to one lobe. The affected glands are enlarged, hard, and painful. When the lesions are extensive, a large amount of thyroid hormone and non-hormonal iodinated protein in the follicles are temporarily released into the blood. Therefore, in addition to the general manifestations of infection, common manifestations of hyperthyroidism may also occur.

2. Mid-term

When thyroid hormones in the thyroid acinus are depleted due to infection and destruction, before the thyroid parenchymal cells are repaired, the serum thyroid hormone concentration may drop to the level of hypothyroidism, and clinically it may turn into hypothyroidism.

3. Recovery period

The symptoms gradually improve, and the goiter or nodules gradually disappear. In many cases, small nodules remain and are slowly absorbed. If treated promptly, most patients can recover completely, and only a few develop permanent hypothyroidism.

Patients should avoid eating spicy food, try to eat light food, do not smoke or drink, and do not drink coffee or strong tea, as they will affect their rest and make people over-excited. Do not overwork, pay more attention to rest, keep a good mood, be calm, and do not think too much. I wish all patients and friends can recover their health and be happy soon.