What is Thyroiditis?

ByMagna Certre

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland found in the lower neck below Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland is a vital organ that produces hormones that control the metabolic rate, growth, and development of the body. It regulates heart, muscle, and digestive function, as well as brain development and bone maintenance. However, the inflammation of the thyroid gland is known as thyroiditis. There are several types of thyroiditis, and all of them cause swelling and inflammation of the thyroid. They often produce either too many or not enough hormones. Nowadays, people are not aware of what thyroiditis is or what signs and symptoms indicate its presence. 

So, to create general awareness, we have drafted this blog by taking references from the expert thyroid doctor in Hyderabad at Magna Centre. The aim is to provide readers with a better understanding of what thyroiditis is, its symptoms, causes, and their effective treatment. Keep reading to learn more.

Thyroiditis: Overview

Thyroiditis is a term that refers to the inflammation of the thyroid gland. It is a condition that causes the levels of thyroid hormone in the body to go beyond a normal range. There are various clinical conditions that can lead to thyroiditis, each of which manifests differently and calls for an individualized treatment, ranging from medicine to surgery. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis, and De Quervain’s thyroiditis are the three most common types of thyroiditis.


What are the Symptoms of Thyroiditis?

The symptoms of thyroiditis may vary since it is a group of disorders of different types. This causes the thyroid hormone to leak into the blood, which ultimately increases the thyroid hormone levels. When this happens, one may have symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The possible symptoms include:

  • Weight loss

  • Nervousness, anxiety or irritability

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Rapid heart rate

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle weakness

  • Tremors (shaking hands or fingers)

  • Diarrhea or loose stools

Thyroiditis can also lead to long-term damage to the thyroid cells. This causes the thyroid hormone levels in the blood to be low. When this happens, one may have symptoms of hypothyroidism. The possible symptoms include:

  • Unplanned weight gain

  • Fatigue

  • Constipation

  • Dry skin

  • Depression

  • Muscle aches

People who have thyroiditis could also experience pain and swelling in the thyroid gland. If one experiences any of these symptoms, they should seek the help of a thyroid doctor immediately.

What Causes Thyroiditis?

The cause of thyroiditis depends on the type of disease one has. Most types occur if the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. This causes inflammation and harm to the thyroid cells. The reason behind the damage is often an autoimmune disease, such as Hashimoto’s. The use of radiation or specific medications can cause other types of thyroiditis. Also, viral or bacterial infections can also lead to thyroiditis.


How is Thyroiditis Treated?

The treatment for thyroiditis depends on the type and symptoms one has. If one has symptoms of hyperthyroidism, the doctor may prescribe medicines such as beta-blockers. This will lower the heart rate and reduce tremors. Since hyperthyroidism is temporary, the doctor will reduce the dose of the medicine as the symptoms improve.

If one has symptoms of hypothyroidism, the doctor would prescribe thyroid hormone and replacements. This helps to restore the body’s hormone levels, which helps to get the metabolism back to normal. The amount of hormone the thyroid produces can be decreased by antithyroid medications. The doctor may advise a radioactive iodine treatment to decrease the thyroid and lessen any symptoms.

Conclusion

We hope that through this blog, the concept of ‘thyroiditis’, which refers to the swelling of the thyroid gland, is well understood. If one is experiencing the symptoms of thyroiditis discussed above, then one should seek immediate medical help. Moreover, if one is looking for an effective treatment, one can consult the endocrinologist in Hyderabad at Magna Centre. They will determine the patient’s overall health and type of thyroiditis and recommend the best course of treatment. To learn more, visit Magna Centre for more details.

Magna Centre is a cutting-edge center for excellence in Endocrinology. Our mission is to offer all of our patients with endocrine problems specialised, ethically sound, evidence-based health care. Diabetes and metabolic issues, endocrine cancers and tumours, thyroid issues, issues with sexual function and reproduction, problems with calcium and bone, and many more issues are some of the frequent disorders that endocrinology deals with. We have a team of highly skilled endocrinologists, diabetologists, dieticians, preventive cardiologists, urologists, and many more professionals because these conditions call for frequent medical checkups by a doctor and high-quality testing facilities. Our goal is to offer our patients a first-rate experience by bringing an advanced, highly integrated healthcare team under one roof at a reasonable price.

https://www.magnacode.co.in/