Painless (silent) thyroiditis

• 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

Thyroid gland

Lymphocytic thyroiditis; Subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis

Symptoms in painless thyroiditis are usually mild. Most symptoms are due to hyperthyroidism and may include:

• weight loss
• increased appetite
• nervousness, restlessness
• heat intolerance
• increased sweating
• fatigue
• muscle cramps
• frequent bowel movements
• menstrual irregularities
• weakness
• irritability
• palpitations

A physical examination reveals an enlarged thyroid gland. The pulse (heart rate) may be rapid and the hands may shake.

• Radioactive iodine uptake is decreased.
• Serum T3 and T4 are elevated.
• A thyroid biopsy shows invasion of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) into the gland. 

Review Date: 01/18/2006
Reviewed By: Nikheel S. Kolatkar, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.