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Painless (silent) thyroiditis

Definition:

Painless (silent) thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland characterized by passing hyperthyroidism , followed by hypothyroidism and recovery.

Alternative Names:

Lymphocytic thyroiditis; Subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of this type of thyroiditis is unknown. The disease affects women more often than men and usually develops in people between age 13 and 80. The symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism (overactivity of the thyroid gland), and may last for 3 months or less.

Thyroid gland

Review Date: 1/18/2006
Reviewed By: Nikheel S. Kolatkar, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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