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Subacute thyroiditis

Alternative Names: deQuervain's thyroiditis; Granulomatous giant cell thyroiditis Symptoms: pain in the front of the neck tenderness when gentle pressure is applied to the thyroid gland (palpation) fever weakness fatigue Other symptoms may include: nervousness heat intolerance weight loss sweating diarrhea tremor palpitations Signs and tests: Text Continues Below Laboratory tests in the early phase of disease may reveal: High serum thyroglobulin level Low radioactive iodine uptake Low serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level High serum free T4 (thyroid hormone, thyroxine) level High erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) Laboratory tests in the later phase of disease may show: High serum TSH level Low serum free T4 Anti-thyroid antibodies are either undetectable or present at low levels. Thyroid gland biopsy shows characteristic "giant cell" inflammation. Laboratory abnormalities return to normal as the condition resolves.

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