Recurring Subacute Thyroiditis & Thyrotoxicosis

[SwanSong]

How normal is it to have recurring subacute thyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis?

I take my thyroid med on a regular basis at approximately the same time everyday.

I have had three episodes of subacute thyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis in the last four years. This year is worse than the other two episodes, and I am quite sick with it with a fever, malaise, all over arthralgias, significant swelling in my neck and into my lymph nodes, ear pressure, significant hair loss, and fatigue.

This episode came on with what appeared to be costochondritis which I now believe was referred pain from my thyroid gland. I suffered with this symptom for one month before I went for my regular appointment with my endo. The test results showed my TSH at the low end of the range and my FT4 over the top of the range. My thyroid med was lowered and then the real suffering started a day later.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Recurrent thyroiditis is not common but it can be difficult to manage.  If there are several documented episodes, some suggest ablating the thyroid with I-131 or removing it surgically to help create a stable hypothyroid situation.

[SwanSong]

Thank you for your time and answer. It is very helpful.

I think I will speak with my endocrinologist about options as I have gained and lost too much weight with these episodes as well. This time it took a bit hit on my hair. It is falling out in handfuls all the time.