Inflammation of the thyroid gland

Thyroiditis, also known as thyroiditis, is a generic term for a group of diseases of various causes, prognoses and courses, all based on inflammation of the thyroid gland. The German Society of Endocrinology differentiates thyroiditis into three classes: all forms of thyroiditis are, however, well treatable today and have a very low risk of complications and consequential damage if diagnosed in time.

  • Acute Thyroiditis
  • Subacute thyroiditis (de Quervain)
  • The chronic thyroiditis

Acute Thyroiditis

Acute thyroiditis is a very rare form of thyroiditis. It is further classified as purulent and non-purulent acute thyroiditis. The symptoms of acute thyroiditis do not differ in their subtypes.

In general, the typical symptoms of inflammatory diseases appear. The body reacts to the infection with fever, the area of the thyroid gland in the neck is swollen and reddened. There is also pain in the thyroid gland, which can also be felt from the outside due to the swelling.

Acute thyroiditis is classified according to its cause. The purulent thyroiditis is caused by bacterial pathogens. In most cases, thyroiditis is preceded by an inflammation of nearby structures such as the tonsils, although bacteria in the blood can lead to thyroiditis.

Non-purulent thyroiditis is usually caused by radiation. Thus, in about 1% of the cases after a so-called radioiodine therapy, an acute inflammation of the thyroid gland occurs. Acute thyroiditis is treated on the basis of symptoms and causes.

The first advice is of course to keep a bed rest to strengthen the body and support the own immune system. To relieve pain, an “ice tie” can be put on from the outside. In addition, treatment is carried out with so-called anti-inflammatory drugs, medications which have both pain and inflammation inhibiting effects.

In addition, antibiotic treatment is used to combat bacterial pathogens. In rare cases an accompanying hyperthyroidism (excessive hormone production of the thyroid gland) occurs, which can be easily controlled by the administration of so-called beta-receptor blockers. The diagnosis of acute thyroiditis is made on the basis of the patient’s physical examination and laboratory values.

Very typical for acute thyroiditis are the inflammatory signs of fever, redness, swelling and pain over the thyroid gland. In the laboratory, an increase in the blood sedimentation rate, an increase in the inflammation parameter C-reactive protein, as well as an increased number of white blood cells (leukocytosis) with an increased number of very young white blood cells (left shift) is noticeable. If a blood smear is also taken, an increased number of granulocytes, specialized white blood cells and bacteria are particularly noticeable.

The gold standard for diagnostic confirmation is fine needle puncture, also known as fine needle biopsy. A minimal piece of thyroid gland tissue is removed and examined under the microscope in the laboratory. Acute thyroiditis has a very good prognosis. With a rapid and adequate diagnosis and effective antibiotic therapy, the disease will regress with complete healing within a few days.