Thyroiditis
Since any -itis denotes inflammation, thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland. This inflammation, or swelling, can lead to hypo and hyperthyroidism. For instance, Hashimoto’s disease is sometimes referred to as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or chronic lymhocytic thyroiditis and is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the US. Postpartum thyroiditis, which will be covered later on in this article, is another example.
There is another kind of inflammation called acute thyroiditis, a rarer type of disorder that can cause pain in the gland. Acute thyroiditis is thought to be linked to a thyroid infection that leads to the gland swelling. Commonly, acute thyroiditis is seen in men and women between the ages of 40-50 years old who have gotten over a recent respiratory infection, like influenza.
