SUBACUTE THYROIDITIS –INVESTIGATIONS
Diagnosis is usually suspected when the thyroid suddenly becomes swollen, tender (painful on pressure) and painful especially if associated with hyperthyroidism.
- Thyroid function test
- Other blood test
- Fine needle aspiration biopsy shows characteristic giant multinucleated cells in the aspirated material microscopically.
- Diagnosis is confirmed by low radioactive iodine uptake (thus distinguishing Subacute thyroiditis from Grave’s disease) and increased T3 and T4.
- ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is markedly elevated.
- Antithyroid antibodies are low (distinguishing Subacute thyroiditis from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)