Lymphocytic thyroiditis with spontaneously resolving hyperthyroidism and subacute thyroiditis. Long-term follow-up.
In a one- to 15-year follow-up of 124 patients with a history of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) without and with spontaneously resolving hyperthyroidism (SRH) (SAT and SAT-SRH, respectively), only three cases of thyroid disease probably unrelated to the original episode of thyroiditis were found. However, of the 54 patients with a history of lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT) with SRH (LT-SRH), 26 patients were found to have thyroid disease (three with hypothyroidism and 23 with goiters). Antithyroid antibodies were found to be present in 32% (8/25) of the LT-SRH group and in less than 10% (5/60) of the other three groups. The basal thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were substantially increased in the LT-SRH group only, and the response of thyroid-stimulating hormone to 200 microgram of protirelin was augmented in both SAT-SRH and LT-SRH groups. These findings demonstrate that SAT and SAT-SRH are transient thyroid disease rarely leading to permanent thyroid disease, although some loss of thyroid reserve may occur. However, LT-SRH is a persistent progressive disease similar to or the same as chronic LT, in which goiter formation and thyroid failure are a natural course.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006042:Goiter / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013966:Thyroiditis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine