The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in numerous bodily functions. When the gland becomes inflamed, it can impact how it produces the hormones necessary for things like body temperature control and metabolism.
Subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis is a condition that often affects women following pregnancy. While the resulting symptoms can be bothersome, many women experience a full recovery after the condition runs its course.
Unlike other types of thyroiditis, the subacute lymphocytic form of the condition is not usually associated with pain and discomfort. Instead, a person often experiences swelling in the front of the neck where the thyroid gland is located. Other symptoms can vary according to the phase of the condition:
In many cases, normal thyroid function will resume within weeks or months. As for causes, this condition is considered an autoimmune disease, which means antibodies produced by the immune system mistakenly attack the thyroid after pregnancy.
Upon diagnosing subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis, doctors typically recommend treatments that limit the temporary ill-effects of the condition. For instance, a patient may be prescribed beta blockers to manage the increased heart rate that occurs during the thyrotoxic phase of the illness.
During the hypothyroid phase, doctors may recommend hormone therapy to support healthy bodily function until hormone production normalizes. When this therapy is needed, it is usually only on a temporary basis. However, some women continue to experience hypothyroidism well after the onset of symptoms. In this case, it may be necessary to undergo hormone therapy for a longer duration.