Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland in the neck. This
inflammation may result in hypothyroidism, when the thyroid produces too few
hormones, or hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid produces too many
hormones.
Thyroiditis is usually related to a problem with the body's immune
system. Antibodies, which are substances made by the immune system to attack
and destroy foreign substances in the body, attach to normal thyroid tissue.
This process causes the thyroid to function abnormally. This type of
thyroiditis is called autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Thyroiditis may also be caused by infection with a virus.
Thyroiditis is treated with medicines.
