Subacute thyroiditis is typically treated with which of the following?

Subacute thyroiditis is typically treated with which of the following?

• A. Methimazole
• B. Propylthiouracil
• C. Aspirin
• D. Radioiodine therapy

Answer: (C)

Subacute thyroiditis (de Quervain) causes painful inflammation of the thyroid with a transient thyrotoxic phase due to release of preformed thyroid hormone, not increased synthesis. Since the problem is inflammation and hormone leakage, drugs that block hormone production aren’t helpful. Radioiodine is not effective in this inflammatory phase because uptake is often low and the goal isn’t to suppress production but to reduce inflammation. The mainstay of treatment is anti-inflammatory therapy to relieve pain and inflammation, with aspirin (an NSAID) as the classic choice. In more severe cases, steroids can be used, and beta-blockers may help with thyrotoxic symptoms.

Subacute thyroiditis (de Quervain) causes painful inflammation of the thyroid with a transient thyrotoxic phase due to release of preformed thyroid hormone, not increased synthesis. Since the problem is inflammation and hormone leakage, drugs that block hormone production aren’t helpful. Radioiodine is not effective in this inflammatory phase because uptake is often low and the goal isn’t to suppress production but to reduce inflammation. The mainstay of treatment is anti-inflammatory therapy to relieve pain and inflammation, with aspirin (an NSAID) as the classic choice. In more severe cases, steroids can be used, and beta-blockers may help with thyrotoxic symptoms.