Thyroiditis

Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Johns Hopkins

Author: Dr Paul W. Ladenson Johns Hopkins University 2008-06-10

1.Introduction

Thyroiditis means inflammation of the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly shaped organ located in the lower front of the neck.  Thyroiditis can have many causes, including infections, drugs, radiation, and most commonly, a person’s own immune system.  Some forms of thyroid inflammation are common, such as autoimmune thyroiditis, while others, such Reidel thyroiditis, are very rare.

Hyperthyroidism

Author: Dr Paul W. Ladenson Johns Hopkins University 2008-06-10

1. Introduction
Hyperthyroidism refers to the effects on the body of thyroid hormone excess [see below.], a condition affecting 2% of adults during their lifetimes. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by a number of underlying conditions, some of which are short-lived and resolve spontaneously, and others that persist and progress unless treated definitively. Hyperthyroidism has widespread and disabling health consequences, but it is reversible with prompt diagnosis and treatment. When severe and untreated, however, hyperthyroidism can be life-threatening.

Goiter and thyroid nodules

Author: Dr Paul W. Ladenson Johns Hopkins University 2008-06-10

Enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) and lumps within it (nodules) are both relatively common findings that may be incidentally noted by people, their friends or family, or their doctor on routine examination.  They can also be found incidentally by imaging studies of the neck, such as a sonogramof the carotid arteries or a CT or MR of the spine. 

Thyroid cancer

Author: Dr Paul W. Ladenson Johns Hopkins University 2008-06-10

Thyroid cancers are malignant tumors in the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ draped around the front and sides of the windpipe (or trachea) in the lower neck. (Figure 1) There are several types of thyroid cancer, each with its own characteristics (Table 1); papillary thyroid cancer is by far the most common. Thyroid cancer occurs in women three times more often than men.