Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2016) 44 S10.2 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.44.S10.2

SFEBES2016 Symposia Clinical thyroidology update (3 abstracts)

Thyroiditis: Post-partum, subacute and new drugs

Mark Vanderpump


Physicians’ Clinic, London, UK.


Destructive thyroiditis is characterised by hyperthyroidism due to release of pre-formed hormones. The increased concentration of thyroid hormone suppresses serum TSH. Radioactive iodine uptake is close to nil in all cases when hyperthyroidism is present. The duration of hyperthyroidism is generally 2–3 months and limited by the amount of thyroid hormone present. The ratio of serum T3:T4 is lower in destructive thyroiditis than in Graves’ disease. Hypothyroidism is common after the hyperthyroid phase. In some patients, only the hyperthyroid or hypothyroid phase is noted. Permanent hypothyroidism can complicate some forms of destructive thyroiditis more than others. In most cases specific therapy is not necessary during the hyperthyroid phase although beta-blockers can be helpful. Glucocorticoids may decrease the duration of the clinical syndrome but are rarely necessary in painful or painless subacute thyroiditis. The most common variant of painless subacute thyroiditis is post-partum thyroiditis occurring in approximately 5% of all post-partum women in iodine sufficient areas. The presence of pain in patients with destructive thyroiditis is generally considered the important diagnostic point. Painful thyroiditis is thought to be post-viral, self-limited with a granulomatous histology. Painless thyroiditis is usually considered to be autoimmune and to require long-term surveillance. A destructive thyroiditis has been observed in a significant number of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors which have substantially improved the prognosis for patients with advanced melanoma and a number of other malignancies.

Volume 44

Society for Endocrinology BES 2016

Brighton, UK
07 Nov 2016 - 09 Nov 2016

Society for Endocrinology 

Browse other volumes

Article tools

My recent searches

No recent searches.

My recently viewed abstracts