Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid. It causes thyroid hormone to leak
out of the thyroid gland. This leakage causes hormone levels in the blood to go up, damaging the thyroid cells.
There are different types of thyroiditis:
- Subacute thyroiditis. Involves painful inflammation and
enlargement of the thyroid. The cause is unknown but possibly a viral
or bacterial infection. The condition
usually goes away on its own in a few
months.
- Postpartum thyroiditis. Develops after a woman gives
birth.
- Silent thyroiditis. Painless, enlargement of the thyroid. It is probably an autoimmune
condition and sometimes develops into
permanent hypothyroidism.'
- Riedel's thyroiditis. A rare form of autoimmune thyroiditis where the normal thyroid tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue.
