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Painless (silent) thyroiditis |
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| Definition: | An inflammation of the thyroid gland which is characterized by transient hyperthyroidism, followed by hypothyroidism and then recovery.
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| Alternative Names: | Lymphocytic thyroiditis; Subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis
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| Causes, incidence, and risk factors: | The cause of this type of thyroiditis is unknown. The thyroid gland becomes infiltrated with lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). The disease affects women more commonly than men and usually develops between 13 and 80 years old. The symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism (overactivity of the thyroid gland) and may last for 3 months or less. It occurs more frequently in females.
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Review Date: 2/14/2002
Reviewed By: Stephanie Fish, M.D., Division of Endocrinology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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