Subacute Diffuse Thyroiditis

Abstract

Because the natural course of subacute diffuse thyroiditis without treatment is extremely variable, it is difficult to evaluate therapy unless it consistently produces rapid, striking improvement; the effectiveness of cortisone and related steroids in this regard is established.

Clinical and laboratory findings in 24 patients are presented. Treatment with adrenal corticoids in 15 patients (prednisolone in 14, cortisone in one) consistently produced rapid and dramatic responses. Relapses occurred in six cases, but permanent remission was achieved in every case.

Therapeutic response to TSH in three cases and to antibiotics in seven cases was not impressive.