MEDLINEplus Health Information: Return to home page   A service of the National Library of Medicine: Go to NLM home page
Search     Advanced Search    Site Map    About MEDLINEplus    Home
Health Topics: conditions, diseases and wellness Drug Information: generic and brand name drugs Dictionaries: spellings and definitions of medical terms Directories: doctors, dentists and hospitals Other Resources: organizations, libraries, publications, MEDLINE

Medical Encyclopedia
Disease     Injury     Nutrition     Poison     Special     Surgery     Symptoms     Tests
Thyroid gland
 
Overview   Symptoms   Treatment   Prevention   

Painless (silent) thyroiditis

Alternative names:

atypical subacute thyroiditis; hyperthyroiditis; lymphocytic thyroiditis; lymphocytic thyroiditis with spontaneously resolving hyperthyroidism; subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis

Definition:

An inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of this type of thyroiditis is unknown. The thyroid gland becomes infiltrated with lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). The disease affects women more commonly than men and usually develops between 13 and 80 years old. The symptoms are those of hyperthyroidism (overactivity of the thyroid gland) and may last for 3 months or less. Risk factors are being female, over 30 years old, and having a current pregnancy.


Adam

The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 2000 adam.com, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Health Topics | Drug Information | Dictionaries | Directories | Other Resources
U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
Copyright and Privacy Policy, We welcome your comments.