Abstract Introduction Subacute thyroiditis is a self-limiting inflammatory thyroid disease characterized by fever, neck pain, and thyroid dysfunction. It typically appears following an upper respiratory tract viral infection. Most cases of subacute thyroiditis are diagnosed through clinical and laboratory testing. The thyroid gland is large, painful, and tender during thyroid examination. Blood tests typically reveal elevated levels of free T4 and free T3, as well as a significantly increased sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (CRP). Ultrasonographic findings of subacute thyroiditis are well defined. Clinical Case A 68-year-old male was consulted by the anesthesia department before the endoscopy and colonoscopy procedure planned to screen for malignancy. He was very worried and afraid because of the possibility of cancer and was psychologically negatively affected. He presented with night sweats and 10 kg of weight loss in the last 6 weeks. He had no history of previous disease. When a detailed history was taken, he stated that he had severe pain in his neck before his complaints started and that it went away on its own after a few weeks. On examination, he had no fever, a heart rate of 90 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg. Neck examination showed no thyromegaly or lymphadenopathy. The general and systemic examination was unremarkable. Laboratory investigations showed hemoglobin 12.2 g/dL, WBC 8380 (x109/L), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 78 mm/hour, CRP 50.1 mg/L, thyroid stimulating hormone 0.08 mIU/L (N = 0.55 – 4.78 mIU/L), free t4 1.4 ng/dL (N = 0.89 – 1.76 ng/dL), free t3 4.34 ng/L (N = 2.3 - 4.2 ng/L), and negative anti-thyroid peroxidase and thyroid stimulating immunglobulin. Thyroid ultrasonography was suggestive for subacute thyroiditis. He was given NSAIDS. Since his free T4 and T3 levels were normal at follow-up, endocrinological approval was given for the planned procedures. It was recommended to have a beta blocker ready during the procedure if needed. No findings in favor of cancer were detected in the detailed examinations, and the weight loss was attributed to subacute thyroiditis. Conclusion When elderly patients have complaints of weight loss or fatigue, it is important to exclude thyrotoxicosis and make a diagnosis by performing the necessary examinations. Subacute thyroiditis may not be severe; it is easy to diagnose with careful history-taking and simple laboratory examinations, and clinicians should keep it in mind in the differential diagnosis of weight loss.
Read full abstract