Thyroiditis

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Thyroiditis represents a group of conditions that cause the inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common type of thyroiditis and affects approximately 1% to 2% of people in the United States.

Other types of thyroiditis include:

Silent or painless thyroiditis
Postpartum thyroiditis
Radiation-induced thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis or de Quervain’s thyroiditis
Acute infectious thyroiditis
Drug-induced thyroiditis
Riedel thyroiditis

Thyroiditis can affect anyone, but it is more commonly seen in women. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is four to 10 times more common in women and most often develops between the ages of 30 to 50. Silent or painless thyroiditis is also common in women and is the next most common cause of thyroiditis after Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The other types are rarer.

Thyroiditis can lead to over- or underproduction of thyroid hormone. In most types of thyroiditis, there are three phases. They include:

Thyrotoxic phase: during this phase, your thyroid is inflamed and releases too many hormones, causing temporary thyrotoxicosis.
Hypothyroid phase: following the excessive release of thyroid hormones for a few weeks or months, your thyroid won’t have enough thyroid hormones to release. This leads to a lack of thyroid hormones or hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and radiation-induced thyroiditis usually permanently stay in the hypothyroid phase.
Euthyroid phase: During this phase, your thyroid hormone levels are normal. This phase may come temporarily after the thyrotoxic phase, before going to the hypothyroid phase, or it may come at the end, after your thyroid gland has recovered from the inflammation and can maintain a normal hormone level.

The symptoms of thyroiditis depend on the type of thyroiditis and its phase. Most types of thyroiditis cause thyrotoxicosis symptoms followed by hypothyroid symptoms. Subacute thyroiditis and acute infectious thyroiditis usually also cause pain in your thyroid area, with some people having an enlarged thyroid gland called a goiter.

The thyrotoxic phase of thyroiditis is usually short, lasting one to three months. If the cells of your thyroid are damaged quickly and there is a leak of excess thyroid hormone, you might experience symptoms of an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include:

A fast heart rate
An increased appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Anxiety and nervousness
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Increased sweating and sensitivity to heat
Tremors

The hypothyroid phase of thyroiditis can be long-lasting and may become permanent. If your thyroid cells are damaged and thyroid levels fall, you may experience symptoms of hypothyroidism. They include:

Fatigue
Unexplained weight gain
Constipation
Depression
Dry skin
Increased sensitivity to cold
Muscle weakness
Decreased ability to concentrate and focus

To diagnose thyroiditis, a healthcare provider may perform a physical exam, assess your thyroid, and ask you questions about your symptoms and medical history. If thyroiditis is suspected, they will order a combination of tests to diagnose it, including:

Thyroid function tests
An ultrasound of your thyroid
Thyroid antibody tests
An erythrocyte sedimentation rate blood test
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) test

The treatment for thyroiditis depends on the type and its symptoms. The thyrotoxic phase of thyroiditis is treated with beta-blockers. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is treated with thyroid hormone replacement medication due to it being a permanent condition. Acute infectious thyroiditis is treated with antibiotics because the infection of your thyroid needs to be treated.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of thyroiditis, you can receive treatment from an endocrinologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Thyroid Awareness Month

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Your thyroid plays an important role in regulating your bodily functions, including those of the circulatory, nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems through the release of hormones into the bloodstream. When the thyroid experiences problems, it can disrupt these functions and negatively affect your entire body.

Thyroid disease in general is fairly common, with approximately 20 million people throughout the United States experiencing it in some form. It is more common in women than men across the board, but regardless of your gender, you may be more likely to develop thyroid disease if you already suffer from a chronic condition, take medication that is high in iodine, have previously been treated for a thyroid condition, are over the age of 60, or if it runs in your family.

Thyroid disease comes in a variety of forms; some of the most common types include hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroid cancer.

Hyperthyroidism: This condition, also known as overactive thyroid, occurs when your thyroid gland produces an excessive supply of hormones, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, mood swings, weight loss, and goiter, which causes your thyroid gland to become swollen.

Hypothyroidism: This form of thyroid disease occurs when your thyroid gland produces an insufficient amount of hormones to meet the demands of your bodily functions. It can cause fatigue, depression, dry skin and hair, a slowed heart rate, and fertility problems in women. Like hyperthyroidism, this condition can also cause goiter.

Thyroid cancer: This form of cancer typically occurs in people between the ages of 25 and 65 and is most common in people of Asian descent. Symptoms include a lump and swelling in the neck, pain in the front of the neck, difficulty swallowing and breathing, and a constant cough. While lumps in the thyroid are usually benign, you should see a doctor immediately if you notice one.

If you’re suffering from symptoms of a thyroid problem, you can schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center now by calling (718) 670-5486.

January is Thyroid Awareness Month

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Michael Hinck

The thyroid gland serves many functions. It regulates our rate of metabolism, growth and development, and our body temperature. So when it isn’t working properly it can have a major impact on our health.

According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), thyroid disease is a more common disorder than diabetes or heart disease. It affects as many as 30 million Americans, more than half of whom remain undiagnosed. To raise awareness about the thyroid gland and symptoms of thyroid disease, January has been designated Thyroid Awareness Month.

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of the neck.. Although small in size, the gland plays a large role by producing thyroid hormone which influences the function of many of the body’s most important organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin. When the thyroid gland is not producing the right amount of hormone (either too much or too little), problems can start to arise.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. This can result in a range of symptoms that include unexplained fatigue, weight gain, depression, forgetfulness, feeling cold, hair loss, or low sex drive. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is a condition when the body produces an abundance of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include rapid heart rate, heat intolerance and unexplained weight loss and anxiety. For both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, medication can be prescribed to regulate hormone levels.

Through attention raised by Thyroid Awareness Month, more and more primary care physicians are screening for thyroid disease, which has greatly helped those who would have otherwise had their condition go undiagnosed.

Flushing Hospital is proud to help raise awareness for thyroid disease and encourages everyone experiencing symptoms to ask their doctor to do an evaluation. If you do not have a doctor, call Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center to make an appointment at 718-670-5486.

Graves’ Disease

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

The thyroid gland is found in the neck and produces hormones that control many of the body’s functions including heart rate and metabolism. Hyperthyroidism is the condition where the thyroid gland over produces these hormones causing the body to function improperly. Grave’s Disease is one of the conditions that is characterized by an excess production of thyroid hormones. It is caused by an autoimmune disease, which means that the body is producing antibodies that attack the cells in the thyroid gland and cause it to malfunction. It more commonly affects women, and usually starts before the age of 40. Some of the factors that can cause Graves’ disease are genetics, a family history of the disease, having other autoimmune diseases, stress, and smoking.
The diagnosis of Graves’s disease is made by physical examination and also lab tests that measure the production of thyroid hormones in the blood.
Symptoms of Graves’ disease include:
• Anxiety
• Weight loss
• Irritability
• Increased perspiration
• Slight tremor
• Difficulty sleeping
• Bulging eyes
• Frequent bowel movements
• Rapid or irregular heart beat
Treatment for Graves’ disease is very important. Depending on the severity, it may be necessary to destroy the thyroid gland using radioactive iodine or completely removing it by surgery. If the thyroid gland is no longer functional or present, supplemental hormones will have to be taken daily that mimic its function in order to keep the body regulated properly. If treated properly, the disease can be managed successfully.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.

Flushing Hospital Recognizes Thyroid Awareness Month

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Michael Hinck

A more serious concern involving the thyroid gland is thyroid cancer, which can develop independent of the above thyroid disease. According to the AACE, about 60,000 cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. In most cases, thyroid cancer has a good prognosis and high survival rates—especially when diagnosed in its early stages.
Through attention raised by Thyroid Awareness Month, more and more primary care physicians are screening for thyroid disease, which has greatly helped those who would have otherwise had their condition go undiagnosed.

Jamaica Hospital is proud to help raise awareness for thyroid disease and encourages everyone experiencing symptoms to ask their doctor to do an evaluation. If you do not have a doctor, call Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center to make an appointment at 718-670-5486.