An inflammation of the thyroid gland tissue is called thyroiditis. It occurs rarely compared to other thyroid diseases. The most common causes include autoimmune diseases.
Here, antibodies produced by the immune system are directed against the body’s own cells. Bacteria, viruses and external influences such as injuries and radiation treatment can also cause inflammation. What they have in common is an inflammatory reaction as a result of a certain stimulus.
A renewed rise in fever after a bacterial infection can mark the beginning of an acute thyroiditis. Inflammatory signs appear on the neck in the area of the thyroid gland. The organ presents with pressure pain.
The skin is reddened, swollen and overheated. The pain may spread towards the ear. Hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and swollen lymph nodes in the neck area are further symptoms.
If an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) is present, pressure on neighboring structures can cause different symptoms. These include shortness of breath, difficulty in inhaling, difficulty swallowing, lumpiness and hoarseness due to pressure from the vagus nerve. Depending on the hormone production, additional symptoms of hyperfunction or hypofunction may occur.
The hypothyroidism manifests itself through characteristic symptoms such as tiredness, freezing, increase in weight, dry, cool skin, dry hair and slowed actions. The main symptoms of hyperthyroidism are a permanently elevated pulse, warm and moist skin, increased blood pressure, restlessness with sleep disturbances, trembling of the hands, sweating and weight loss. In addition to an enlarged or swollen thyroid gland (goiter), endocrine orbitopathy occurs in more than half of the cases.
This is an autoimmune disease associated with Graves’ disease. As a result of inflammatory events in the area of the orbit, the eyeball can easily protrude from the orbit. Both autoimmune hyper- and hypothyroidism are not contagious.
A thyrotoxic crisis in the context of hyperthyroidism can occur after increased iodine uptake or in severe diseases. Certain drugs, as well as contrast media containing iodine, are among the triggers. Within a very short period of time, confusion, high pulse, restlessness, cardiac arrhythmia, vomiting and diarrhea occur. Without treatment this is a life-threatening condition.