Subacute Granulomatous Thyroiditis: Waivering from Hypothyroidism to Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid disorders affect the health and lifestyle of millions of adults. From complications of an overactive thyroid to complications of an underactive thyroid, many adults suffer from thyroid disease to varying degrees.

When the thyroid becomes inflamed a complication known as thyroiditis is usually diagnosed. While thyroiditis is not related to the actual development of hypothyroidism, it can be indicative of an underlying disease or health complication.

The most common form of thyroiditis is a complication known as subacute granulomatous thyroiditis which is quite painful and often affects women more commonly than men. As stated, this form of thyroiditis is not associated with hypothyroidism but, instead, attributed to the development of a viral infection.

In patients who suffer from subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, the symptoms present as pain at the thyroid gland, swelling in the pharynx, fatigue and very low-grade fever. Often, the neck pain may radiate back to the ear.

While rare, in patients with subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, when a complication of the thyroid develops, it most commonly presents as a hyperthyroid complication. In most patients, the return to normal thyroid production occurs, spontaneously, within 12 months. However, in some patients, more aggressive thyroid treatment may be indicated.

Often, with subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, some patients will waiver between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism with an eventual return to normalcy. During this transitional period, sometimes occurring in as little as 24 hours, many sufferers find great extremes in their symptoms which often reduces the quality of life.

While there is really no treatment that is fully effective for subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, many patients find the use of NSAIDs to be effective at alleviating pain. When pain is persistent, some patients may opt for use of steroids, such as prednisone, in doses of 40 to 60 milligrams per day with tapering doses over a six week period.