What Is Thyroiditis?
Article by: Consultant Dietitian from Beacon Premier Wellness
Thyroiditis is the swelling (inflammation) of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. It’s a part of your endocrine system and controls many of your body’s important functions by producing and releasing certain hormones that control the body’s growth and metabolism.[1] It causes either unusually high or low levels of thyroid hormones in the blood.[2]
These hormones affect several processes, such as regulating heart rate and body temperature. Moreover, they play a crucial role in converting food into energy to sustain the body’s functioning.[2]
Thyroiditis has three phases:
| Thyrotoxic phase | The thyroid is swollen and releases too many hormones, causing temporary thyrotoxicosis.[3] |
| Hypothyroid phase | After a few weeks or months, too much of the thyroid hormone is released and leads to hypothyroidism, when you don’t have enough left.[3] |
| Euthyroid phase | Thyroid levels are normal. This phase may come temporarily after the thyrotoxic phase before going to the hypothyroid phase or at the end, after the swelling has gone down.[3] |
Symptoms of Thyroiditis
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Palpitations (fast heart rate)
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Irritability
- Muscle weakness
- Intolerance to heat
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Depression
- Poor exercise tolerance
- Muscle aches
- Intolerance to cold
What Causes Thyroiditis?
There are several reasons why your thyroid may swell. Firstly, you might have contracted a virus or bacterial infection. Additionally, certain medications such as interferon or lithium could be contributing factors. Moreover, malfunctioning of the immune system could also lead to thyroid swelling. Furthermore, one type of thyroiditis can develop after childbirth, as pregnancy can significantly impact the thyroid. [3]
In addition, research have shown that occupational exposure and environmental pollutants may have an impact on the thyroid gland, increasing the risk of developing thyroid disease. [4]
| Types of Thyroiditis | |
|---|---|
| Hashimoto’s thyroiditis | One of the most frequently occurring autoimmune diseases, caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and weakens the gland until it can’t produce enough thyroid hormones.[3] |
| De Quervain’s (subacute) thyroiditis | It is a painful swelling of thyroid gland triggered by viral infection, such as mumps and flu.[2] |
| Postpartum thyroiditis | It is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid within one year after giving birth, particularly in women with a history of thyroid issues. This causes a temporary rise in thyroid hormone levels (thyrotoxicosis) and symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland.[1,2] |
| Silent (painless) thyroiditis | This is an autoimmune condition caused by antithyroid antibodies. It is similar to postpartum thyroiditis, but it can affect men and women. It starts with a phase of high thyroid hormone levels (thyrotoxicosis) causing symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland.[1,2] |
| Drug-induced thyroiditis | A condition caused by the use of medications such as amiodarone, interferons, lithium and cytokines. These medication can damage the thyroid.[1,2] |
| Radiation-induced thyroiditis | The thyroid gland can sometimes be damaged by radiation therapy used as a medical treatment for certain cancers or radioactive iodine treatment given to treat hyperthyroidism.[1-3] |
| Acute or infectious thyroiditis | Usually caused by infectious organism or bacterium. This is a rare condition and associated with a weakened immune system or, in children, a problem with the development of the thyroid.[1,2] |
| Riedel thyroiditis | This is a rare disease caused by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of your thyroid gland. Fibrosis is the thickening or scarring of tissue. [3] |
How Thyroiditis is Diagnosed
- Blood test: A test called thyroid function test is used to test the levels of thyroid hormones in your blood.Abnormal levels could mean that you have an overactive thyroid or an underactive thyroid. [5]
- Thyroid Ultrasound: Use ultrasound to evaluate the anatomy of the thyroid gland. It can show a nodule (a growth) in the thyroid gland, a change in blood flow to the thyroid and the density of the gland. [1]
- Thyroid Scan: A shot of radioactive iodine must be taken for this checkup. Lie faceup on the table with head bent back to expose the neck, the doctor will use a device to take images of your thyroid. [3]
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate): This test measures swelling by how fast the red blood cells fall. [3]
- Radioactive iodine uptake test (RAIU): Measures the amount of radioactive iodine (taken by mouth) that the thyroid gland absorbs over the next 24 hours. [1]
Can Thyroiditis be Treated?
Yes, the type and symptoms of thyroiditis determine the type of treatment. A doctor’s prescription for medicine can be used to treat it. [1] Some thyroiditis types may require either surgery or radioactive iodine. [5]
Ways to Prevent Thyroiditis
Maintain a healthy and balanced diet
- Eat at least 5 portion of fruits and vegetable everyday.
- To structure a balanced meal, it’s essential to center it around higher starchy foods. Additionally, incorporating these foods provides a substantial source of energy. Furthermore, they offer essential nutrients such as fiber and vitamins. Moreover, starchy foods promote a feeling of fullness and satisfaction. In addition, they serve as a stable foundation for a nutritious diet. Ultimately, basing meals on higher starchy foods ensures a well-rounded and fulfilling dining experience.
- To ensure a diverse and nutritious meal, it’s important to incorporate dairy or dairy alternatives. Additionally, integrating these options provides essential calcium and protein. Furthermore, including beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat, and other protein sources is vital for overall health. Moreover, these protein-rich foods offer a variety of nutrients essential for the body. In addition, balancing these sources ensures a well-rounded intake of amino acids and vitamins.
- Choose unsaturated oils and spreads, and eat them in small amounts.
- Drink plenty of fluids everyday. [6,7]
Consume enough selenium
- Selenium is found in higher concentrations in the thyroid gland and plays a crucial role in maintaining its health. Furthermore, numerous studies have demonstrated that sufficient selenium intake can be beneficial for thyroid-related diseases. This is because selenium serves a similar function in thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism as iodine.[8,9]
Adequate intake of iodine
- Iodine is required for the production of thyroid hormones, so it is important to consume enough iodine. Iodine is primary taken in through diet, although you need iodine for a healthy thyroid, but avoid large amounts of iodine-rich food, it may cause thyroid dysfunction.[10]
Sufficiency of iron intake
- Selenium, iodine and iron interact together to contribute adequate thyroid hormone status. Therefore, iron is essential for efficient iodine utilisation and thyroid hormone synthesis. [9]
Quit smoking
- This will lower your chance of developing thyroid disease and also many other health issue. [8,11]
Limit alcohol consumption
Alcohol abuse results in significant morbidity and mortality. Moreover, limiting alcohol consumption can decrease the likelihood of developing thyroid diseases. [12]
Thyroiditis, an illness characterized by the enlargement and inflammation of the thyroid gland, can disrupt hormone production. This gland plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s metabolism and energy usage. Consequently, when the thyroid gland is swollen, hormone production may become insufficient or excessive. If you experience any symptoms associated with thyroiditis, it’s imperative to consult a doctor promptly to receive appropriate care.
References:
- Thyroiditis: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic [cited 12 September 2022]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15455-thyroiditis
- Thyroiditis – NHS [Internet]. NHS [cited 12 September 2022]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thyroiditis/
- What is Thyroiditis? [Internet]. WebMD [cited 12 September 2022]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-thyroiditis
- Benvenga S, Elia G, Ragusa F, Paparo SR, Sturniolo MM, Ferrari SM, Antonelli A, Fallahi P. Endocrine disruptors and thyroid autoimmunity. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Jan;34(1):101377.
- Thyroiditis: Definitions, Causes and Treatments. [Internet]. Endocrine Web [cited 12 September 2022]. Available from: https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/thyroiditis
- Thyroid and diet factsheet. [Internet]. BTF [cited 12 September 2022]. Available from: https://www.btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-and-diet-factsheet
- Foods to avoid if you have thyroid issues – Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic [cited 12 September 2022]. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/thyroid-issues-what-you-need-to-know-about-diet-and-supplements/
- Prevention and treatment of thyroid diseases for heart health [Internet]. Premier Heart and Vascular Center [cited 12 September 2022]. Available from: https://premierheartandvascular.com/prevent-treat-thyroid-disease-heart-health/
- Köhrle J. Selenium and the thyroid. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2015 Oct;22(5):392-401.
- Leung A.M, & Braverman L.E. Consequences of excess iodine. Nature reviews. Endocrinology . 2014 Mar;10(3):136-42.
- Gruppen EG, Kootstra-Ros J, Kobold AM, Connelly MA, Touw D, Bos JHJ, Hak E, Links TP, Bakker SJL, Dullaart RPF. Cigarette smoking is associated with higher thyroid hormone and lower TSH levels: the PREVEND study. Endocrine. 2020 Mar;67(3):613-622.
- Azizi F, Mehran L, Hosseinpanah F, Delshad H, Amouzegar A. Primordial and Primary Preventions of Thyroid Disease. International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2017 Oct 7;15(4):e57871.
