endocrine and metabolic disorders
Subacute Thyroiditis
Introduction
Subacute thyroiditis is an acute inflammatory disease of the thyroid probably caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever and thyroid tenderness. Initial hyperthyroidism is common, sometimes followed by a transient period of hypothyroidism. Diagnosis is clinical and with thyroid function tests. Treatment is with high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or with corticosteroids. The disease usually resolves spontaneously within months. (See also Overview of Thyroid Function .) History of an antecedent viral upper respiratory infection is common in patients with subacute thyroiditis. Histologic studies show less lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid than in Hashimoto Thyroiditis or 