Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 1994 · DOI: · Published: March 1, 1994
The letter discusses the relationship between rheumatism and thyroid conditions, specifically addressing a previous article's claim about subacute thyroiditis being an accentuated form of autoimmune thyroiditis. It argues that transient thyroid antibodies in subacute thyroiditis are a consequence, not the cause, of the disease, and highlights the potential for misdiagnosis with painless thyroiditis. The author warns about the risk of misdiagnosing painless subacute thyroiditis as thyrotoxicosis, leading to unnecessary anti-thyroid drug treatment due to the decline in radioactive iodine uptake studies.
Clinicians should carefully differentiate between subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis, considering antibody presence as a potential consequence rather than a primary cause.
The decline in radioactive iodine uptake studies necessitates greater vigilance in diagnosing thyroid conditions to avoid misdiagnosing painless subacute thyroiditis as thyrotoxicosis.
The letter highlights the need to reassess diagnostic criteria for thyroiditis given the evolving diagnostic landscape and potential for misdiagnosis.