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