The thyroid gland is single-handedly responsible for growth and metabolism of the entire body so we can easily consider this gland as very crucial. The thyroid gland is located in the neck which forms a condition of silent thyroiditis due to inflammation.

What is Silent Thyroiditis?

Silent Thyroiditis, extensively called silent lymphocytic thyroiditis or subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an ailment which acquires mainly females of any age bar in their postpartum period as a subacute disorder in the thyroid gland.

This kind of thyroiditis resembles with both Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and De Quervain’s thyroiditis due to its non-chronic nature.

This ailment shows no pain or very slight sense of pain with a small goiter with null tenderness. In other words, this condition shows signs of hyperthyroidism and returns back to euthyroid easily with some remarkable treatment measures.

What are the Symptoms of Silent Thyroiditis?

This ailment shows its existence by a slightly painful enlargement of the thyroid gland and shows similar symptoms of hyperthyroidism which labeled below:

• Insomnia
• High fever
• Constipation
• Sudden weight loss/gain
• Goiter with no tenderness
• Hair loss
• Irregular periods in women

What are the Causes and Prevention of Thyroiditis?

This disease was recently discovered in the 1970s which depicts the lack of research on it. Hence, doctors are unable to state any solid causes behind this disease but call it an auto-immune disease.

The same situation is with preventions to avoid this ailment, not many solutions are available but one can take care of them by regular tests, and healthy eating to stay immune.

How to Diagnose Subacute Lymphocytic Thyroiditis?

During this phase of thyroiditis radioiodine uptake is decreased immensely. This is surely a least common kind of thyroiditis but with enough clinical diagnosis facilities available as following:

• Deep examine of the thyroid gland and heart rate which are responsible for holding the disease.
• Invasive Blood tests to examine the levels of T3, T4 and TSH hormones.
• Ultrasound of thyroid gland.
• Radioactive uptake of iodine (RAUI) test of the thyroid gland.

What are the Treatment Measures for Silent Thyroiditis?

This is not a long durational disease which only lasts for 2-3 months so, a conservative kind of treatment is required and not a strict invasive treatment whereas there are some exceptions as well. See below to learn more:

• Beta-blockers are prescribed in case of increased palpitations to reduce heart rate.
• The thyroid replacement process is needed in case of severe hypothyroidism.
• Generally, bed rest and a healthy diet are recommended by doctors for the patient to recover as soon as possible.

Conclusion:

After seeing the increasing rate of sufferers, we all should stay alert to this disease. Females of all ages should be taken care of very carefully in their postpartum duration due to the domination of this silent thyroiditis during this particular time.

Also, pathogenesis of this ailment must be thoroughly investigated and not be ignored to avoid any mishappenings.