What are the symptoms of acute thyroiditis

There are many symptoms of acute thyroiditis, and they can be divided into different types, so you must pay attention to the symptoms so that you can detect and treat them in time. Common symptoms are that patients are more likely to catch colds, and often experience physical fatigue and discomfort. There are lumps in the thyroid area, and patients may also experience hoarseness and difficulty swallowing.

Symptom 1: Cold

In the first few weeks of acute thyroiditis, patients will be more likely to catch colds and experience fatigue, general discomfort, and some throat symptoms, which can easily be confused with colds. Sometimes there will be muscle pain, fatigue, malaise, sore throat, etc. The body temperature will rise to varying degrees, reaching a peak 3 to 4 days after onset. May be accompanied by cervical lymphadenopathy.

Symptom 2: There is a lump in the thyroid gland

When the symptoms of thyroiditis are relatively mild, it is not easy to find lumps, and sometimes you can only feel some lumps by touching them with your hands. The lump is usually hard and tender. Occurs gradually or suddenly, to varying degrees. The symptoms may be aggravated by turning the neck and swallowing, and often radiate to the ipsilateral ear, throat, mandibular angle, chin, occipital bone, chest and back. A few people experience hoarseness and difficulty swallowing.

Symptom 3: Fever

Patients with acute thyroiditis can easily feel fever, sometimes as high as 39 degrees or above.

Symptom 4: Symptoms related to thyroid function

Some patients with thyroiditis will also experience some symptoms similar to those of thyroid diseases, mainly the following three points: ① Thyrotoxicosis stage: about 50-75% of the patients will experience weight loss, heat intolerance, tachycardia, etc. in the early stage of the disease, which lasts for about 3-8 weeks; ② Hypothyroidism stage: about 25% will enter the hypothyroidism stage before the thyroid hormone synthesis function is restored, and symptoms such as edema, cold intolerance, constipation, etc. will appear; ③ Thyroid function recovery stage: most patients will recover normal function in a short time (weeks to months), and only a few will develop permanent hypothyroidism. The entire course of the disease is approximately 6-12 months. In some cases, the symptoms worsen repeatedly, lasting from several months to 2 years. About 2-4% relapse, and very few relapse repeatedly.