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ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Subacute thyroiditis

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Alternative Names:
deQuervain's thyroiditis; Granulomatous giant cell thyroiditis
Symptoms:
  • pain in the front of the neck
  • tenderness when gentle pressure is applied to the thyroid gland (palpation)
  • fever
  • weakness
  • fatigue

Other symptoms may include:

Signs and tests:

Laboratory tests in the early phase of disease may reveal:

  • High serum thyroglobulin level
  • Low radioactive iodine uptake
  • Low serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level
  • High serum free T4 (thyroid hormone, thyroxine) level
  • High erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Laboratory tests in the later phase of disease may show:

  • High serum TSH level
  • Low serum free T4

Anti-thyroid antibodies are either undetectable or present at low levels. Thyroid gland biopsy shows characteristic "giant cell" inflammation. Laboratory abnormalities return to normal as the condition resolves.

Endocrine glands
Endocrine glands
Thyroid gland
Thyroid gland
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