Subacute Thyroiditis (de Quervain)
If you have recently had a viral infection and are now experiencing neck pain and a swollen thyroid, you could have an infection of the thyroid gland. Dr. Manish Taneja, a thyroid nodules specialist at the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic can help you determine if you might have subacute thyroiditis, a painful inflammation of the thyroid that could have permanent implications if left untreated.
Introduction to the Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system. Its main role is to produce and release hormones that control your metabolism and facilitate healthy growth and development. Under normal conditions, the thyroid gland produces exact amounts of thyroid hormones.
However, certain conditions affect the normal working of the thyroid, causing the gland to overproduce (hyperthyroidism) or underproduce (hypothyroidism) thyroid hormones. One such condition is subacute thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland that is thought to be caused by a viral infection. Left untreated, subacute thyroiditis causes pain in the thyroid region and may eventually lead to permanent thyroid complications.
What is Subacute Thyroiditis?
Also known as de Quervain or granulomatous thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is an inflammatory disorder that affects the thyroid gland. The condition often follows a viral upper respiratory tract infection. It is characterized by gradual or sudden neck pain, dysfunction, and swelling of the thyroid gland that may persist for weeks and sometimes months.
Subacute thyroiditis disrupts the production of thyroid hormones. During the initial stages, most patients develop hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism in later stages. For some, the condition is temporary and resolves within a few months.
Causes and Risk Factors of Subacute Thyroiditis
The cause of subacute thyroiditis is linked to a possible viral origin since the condition often follows a recent viral illness affecting the upper respiratory tract. Common viral infections that have been found to cause subacute thyroiditis include mumps and rubella, measles, HIV, influenza, dengue, and SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
Research also indicates that the condition is more common in middle-aged women who account for 75–80% of all SAT cases.
Symptoms of Subacute Thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis is usually characterized by pain in the thyroid region that sometimes extends to the neck, ears, and jaw. Other symptoms include:
- Enlarged and tender thyroid
- Mild to moderate fever
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Difficulty swallowing
Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism that occur in the early stages of the disease include anxiety, rapid heart rate, restlessness, diarrhea, weight loss, and tremors. When the disease progresses to hypothyroidism, some patients may report symptoms such as fatigue, constipation, hair loss, rapid weight gain, and cold intolerance.
Diagnosis of Subacute Thyroiditis
Like other thyroid conditions, including thyroid nodules, proper diagnosis is guided by thyroid symptoms and laboratory data. Your doctor will examine your neck to see if the thyroid gland is swollen and inflamed. If you have recently had a viral upper respiratory tract infection, your doctor may then check for subacute thyroiditis. They may perform some or a combination of the following tests to help diagnose it:
- Thyroid function test
- Thyroid antibody tests
- Thyroid ultrasound
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- Radioactive iodine uptake
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
If the diagnosis is uncertain, your doctor may order a fine needle biopsy.
Treatment Options for Subacute Thyroiditis
If you are diagnosed with subacute thyroiditis, your doctor may prescribe medication to help reduce pain and inflammation. Mild cases may be treated using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen which reduce pain and inflammation.
In more severe cases where nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not able to reduce the swelling, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid such as prednisone.
Potential Complications and Long-Term Effects
In most cases, subacute thyroiditis will resolve on its own. Symptoms usually go away within 12 to 18 months. However, the condition may develop into permanent hypothyroidism if left untreated, in which case, you may need ongoing medical attention.
Lifestyle Tips for Managing Subacute Thyroiditis
Getting vaccinated against common viral infections that affect the upper respiratory tract can help prevent subacute thyroiditis. If you are diagnosed with the condition, adhering to the treatment plan and proper hydration can help you lead a normal life until it resolves.
When to See a Thyroid Nodules Specialist in Singapore
We invite you to contact our thyroid nodules specialist if you have the symptoms listed above. Dr. Manish Taneja can run tests to determine if you might have subacute thyroiditis, and recommend a treatment plan in case of a positive diagnosis.
If you think you might have subacute thyroiditis, the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore is ready to help you with a timely diagnosis to not only offer relief from pain and inflammation but also reduce the possibility of long-term complications. For inquiries or to schedule an appointment, fill in our contact form and we will get back to you immediately.
The Advantages of RFA of Thyroid Nodules
The major advantages of the technique are as below.
- It is done as day surgery procedure under light sedation.
- It takes about 45 minutes to one hour to complete the entire procedure.
- Patients are discharged the same day.
- Normal thyroid tissue adjacent to the nodule is preserved.
- It does not affect thyroid function.
- Multiple nodules can be treated at same time.
- The treated nodules do not regrow again.
- No surgical scar with needle mark on the skin.
- Quick recovery and back to full activity and normal lifestyle.
- The technique is suitable to treat even large thyroid nodules.
Find out how thyroid nodule Radiofrequency Ablation can help you in a minimally invasive way on our blog post, “Thyroid Nodule Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment: Diagnosis, Management, and Recovery.”
Read More About Vascular Treatments on Our Blog
To dive deeper into the types of vascular treatments such as thyroid nodule radiofrequency ablation, head over to our clinic’s blog. Read our recommended vascular treatments related blog posts to stay informed.
Thyroid Nodule Resources
How to Keep Thyroid Healthy for Optimal Well-Being
As part of the endocrine system, the thyroid hormones must be perfectly balanced at all times for the body to function normally.
Caring For Your Thyroid Health
Have you ever experienced difficulty swallowing or breathing? You may have risk factors including a family history of thyroid nodules or iodine deficiency. Thyroid nodules are abnormal lumps (growths) within the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland located below your voice box. Even if most thyroid nodules are benign, 10-15% of nodules are cancerous. Sometimes overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue can lead to hyperthyroidism. In other cases, multiple nodules can form in the thyroid called multinodular goiter. Fluid filled thyroid cysts can be one type of thyroid nodule within the thyroid. More complex nodules may lead to thyroid cancers. Depending on the root cause and type of nodule you have, patients can monitor with regular ultrasound or even have a thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAC) if required. Surgery to remove partial or whole thyroid gland can be done but thanks to minimally invasive treatments such as Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), this procedure can treat noncancerous and cancerous thyroid lumps.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your "go-to" facility for various conditions and pain management. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our thyroid nodule specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.