What are the types and clinical course of thyroiditis?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – Patients usually present with hypothyroidism, which is usually permanent. Subacute, painless and post-partum thyroiditis – These disorders follow the same general clinical course of thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism. The thyrotoxic phase usually lasts for 1-3 months and is associated with symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, palpitations (fast heart rate), fatigue, weight loss, and irritability. Thyroidal pain in subacute thyroiditis follows the thyrotoxic phase. The hypothyroid phase typically occurs 1-3 months after the thyrotoxic phase and may last up to 9 –12 months. Typical symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, depression and poor exercise tolerance. Most patients (80-95%) will have return of their thyroid function to normal within 12-18 months of the onset of symptoms. Drug-induced and radiation thyroiditis – Both thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism may be seen. The thyrotoxicosis is usually short-lived. Drug-induced hypot
