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Silent Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

By

Laura Boucai

, MD, Weill Cornell Medical College

Reviewed/Revised Feb 2024
View PATIENT EDUCATION

Silent lymphocytic thyroiditis is a self-limited, subacute disorder occurring most commonly in women during the postpartum period. Symptoms are initially of hyperthyroidism, then hypothyroidism, and then generally recovery to the euthyroid state. Treatment of the hyperthyroid phase is with a beta-blocker. If hypothyroidism is permanent, lifelong thyroxine supplementation is needed.

Silent lymphocytic thyroiditis causes most cases of postpartum thyroid dysfunction. It occurs in approximately 5 to 10% of postpartum women.

Thyroid biopsy reveals lymphocytic infiltration as in Hashimoto thyroiditis but without lymphoid follicles and scarring. Thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies and, less commonly, antithyroglobulin antibodies are almost always positive during pregnancy and the postpartum period in these patients. Thus, this disorder would appear to be a variant of Hashimoto thyroiditis Hashimoto Thyroiditis Hashimoto thyroiditis is chronic autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid with lymphocytic infiltration. Findings include painless thyroid enlargement and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Diagnosis... read more .

Symptoms and Signs of Silent Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

The condition usually begins within 12 to 16 weeks after childbirth. Silent lymphocytic thyroiditis is characterized by a variable degree of painless thyroid enlargement with a hyperthyroid phase of several weeks, often followed by transient hypothyroidism due to depleted thyroid hormone stores but usually eventual recovery to the euthyroid state (as noted for painful subacute thyroiditis). The hyperthyroid phase is self-limited and may be brief or overlooked. Many women with this disorder are diagnosed when they become hypothyroid, which occasionally is permanent.

Eye signs and pretibial myxedema do not occur.

Diagnosis of Silent Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

  • History and physical examination

  • Serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels

Silent lymphocytic thyroiditis is frequently undiagnosed. Suspicion of the diagnosis generally depends on clinical findings, typically once hypothyroidism has occurred.

White blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are normal.

Needle biopsy provides definitive diagnosis but is usually unnecessary.

Pearls & Pitfalls

  • Screen for silent lymphocytic thyroiditis in postpartum patients who have no symptoms if they have had silent lymphocytic thyroiditis in previous pregnancies.

Treatment of Silent Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

  • Usually a beta-blocker

  • Sometimes thyroid hormone replacement

Because silent lymphocytic thyroiditis lasts only a few months, treatment is conservative, usually requiring only a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol) during the hyperthyroid phase Beta-blockers Hyperthyroidism is characterized by hypermetabolism and elevated serum levels of free thyroid hormones. Symptoms include palpitations, fatigue, weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, and tremor... read more Beta-blockers . Antithyroid medications, surgery, and radioiodine therapy are contraindicated.

Thyroid hormone replacement may be required during the hypothyroid phase. Most patients recover normal thyroid function, although some remain permanently hypothyroid. Therefore, thyroid function should be reevaluated after 9 to 12 months of thyroxine therapy; replacement is stopped for 5 weeks, and TSH is remeasured.

This disorder usually recurs after subsequent pregnancies.

Key Points

  • Silent lymphocytic thyroiditis affects mostly women in the postpartum period.

  • Most patients go through a transient hyperthyroid phase, followed by a longer hypothyroid phase; most, but not all, recover spontaneously.

  • The disorder often goes undiagnosed.

  • A beta-blocker is often needed in the hyperthyroid phase, and thyroid hormone replacement is typically needed in the hypothyroid phase.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
HEMANGEOL, Inderal, Inderal LA, Inderal XL, InnoPran XL
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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