Thyroiditis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Thyroiditis?
An endocrinologist, a doctor who treats hormone and gland problems such as thyroid disease, usually treats thyroiditis. A primary care doctor can often order the first thyroid blood tests. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis is a general term for inflammation of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the lower front of the neck. It makes thyroid hormones, which travel in the blood to every part of the body.
It is a group of disorders that inflame the thyroid but show up in different ways. The types include Hashimoto's thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, silent thyroiditis, and postpartum thyroiditis.
Symptoms
No symptoms are unique to thyroiditis. The signs depend on whether the thyroid hormone level in the blood falls or rises.
Slow damage can lower thyroid hormone levels. This is called hypothyroidism. It can cause:
- Tiredness.
- Weight gain.
- Constipation.
- Dry skin.
- Depression and trouble with exercise.
- Feeling cold, hair loss, or irregular or heavy periods.
Fast damage lets stored hormone leak out. Then hormone levels in the blood rise. This is called thyrotoxicosis. It can cause:
- Anxiety.
- Trouble sleeping.
- A fast heart rate, called palpitations.
- Tiredness and weight loss.
- Irritability.
Subacute thyroiditis causes neck pain from a swollen, inflamed thyroid. The pain can spread to the jaw or ears. Some people also have painful swallowing, hoarseness, or a fever.
Causes and who gets it
Thyroiditis happens when something attacks the thyroid and causes inflammation and damage to thyroid cells. Antibodies that attack the thyroid cause most types of thyroiditis. So it is often an autoimmune disease. It is not known why some people make these antibodies, but this tends to run in families.
An infection with a virus or bacteria can also inflame the thyroid. Drugs such as interferon and amiodarone can also damage thyroid cells. Radiation treatment for an overactive thyroid or for certain cancers can cause it too.
Subacute thyroiditis is thought to be the result of a viral infection. It occurs most often in middle-aged women. Silent thyroiditis affects women more often than men. It can occur in women who have just had a baby, which is called postpartum thyroiditis. You cannot catch subacute thyroiditis from another person. You cannot catch silent thyroiditis from another person either.
How doctors diagnose it
The tests depend on the type, and not all tests may be needed. Blood tests check thyroid function, including TSH, free T4, and T3. They may also test the blood for thyroid antibodies. Other blood tests may also be done, such as the sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). A thyroid ultrasound may also be done.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and on how it shows up. For Hashimoto's thyroiditis, treatment starts with thyroid hormone replacement when the thyroid is underactive. The low thyroid hormone level from Hashimoto's thyroiditis is frequently permanent.
In the subacute, painless, and postpartum types, thyroid hormone is also used when the low-hormone phase causes symptoms. If the low hormone level is mild and causes few symptoms, no treatment may be needed. During the high-hormone phase, beta blockers may help slow a fast heart rate and ease shaking. Antithyroid medicines are not used in this phase, because the thyroid is not truly overactive.
Pain from subacute thyroiditis can usually be managed with mild anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen. If the pain is severe, a steroid medicine called prednisone may be needed. If an infection caused it, it usually improves once the infection is treated. If a drug caused it, it often improves when the drug is stopped.
With the painless and postpartum types, most people return to normal thyroid function within 12 to 18 months after symptoms begin. Subacute thyroiditis should improve on its own, but the illness may last for months.
When to see a doctor
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of thyroiditis. Also contact your provider if you have thyroiditis and your symptoms do not improve with treatment. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or a sudden change in mental state such as confusion.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type of doctor can order thyroid blood tests and follow your results over time. They can also help you find an endocrinologist when needed.
Common questions
What causes thyroiditis?
Antibodies that attack the thyroid cause most types. An infection or certain drugs, such as interferon and amiodarone, can also cause it.
Is thyroiditis the same as Hashimoto's thyroiditis?
No, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is only one type of thyroiditis. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, in the United States.
Can thyroiditis go away on its own?
Some types can. Silent thyroiditis often goes away on its own within 1 year. That is different with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, where the low hormone level is frequently permanent.
Is thyroiditis contagious?
Subacute thyroiditis and silent thyroiditis are not contagious. You cannot catch either one from another person.
Sources
- American Thyroid Association - Thyroiditis
- MedlinePlus - Subacute thyroiditis
- MedlinePlus - Silent thyroiditis
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
