It is important to elicit from the patient the timing and duration of any symptoms, any sick contacts, any family or medical history pertinent to the patient's chief complaint, and any recent illness the patient has experienced. If there are family members present, they may be good sources of information to help in narrowing down a differential, especially if the patient's mental status is altered or confused.

Patients most often will present with fatigue, low-grade fever, myalgias along with neck pain (that can switch over to the opposite side before settling), and diffuse goiter. Pain can frequently radiate to the jaw, ears, or chest and can be aggravated by swallowing or turning the head. A thorough physical exam should include a full HEENT (head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat) exam to rule out any other causes of neck pain. [1]

Diagnosis is made by a combination of clinical context, physical findings, and laboratory testing, including the presence or absence of neck pain/ tenderness, and autoantibodies. Common tests that are ordered in the emergency department are thyroid studies (including free thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels (TSH), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein along with other tests as needed based on patient presentation. Patients with de Quervain thyroiditis will often have elevated ESR and CRP levels, along with a mild leukocytosis. Levels of antithyroid peroxidase and antithyroglobulin antibodies are generally normal. Because patients often present with a fever, a septic workup is usually done. If tachycardia is noted, it may be helpful to get an EKG and consider a cardiac workup as well. [4]

Patients with this disease go through different phases over a period of weeks to months. Initially, they will be hyperthyroid and then transition to a brief euthyroid phase. This is followed by a hypothyroid phase before eventually returning to being euthyroid. Hyperthyroidism, in this case, is caused by the follicular cells being attacked by cytotoxic T lymphocytes which causes the release of large amounts of T4 and T3 into the circulation. Patients will remain hyperthyroid for weeks until their thyroid stores are diminished. Laboratory values during this period will likely reflect accordingly, with low TSH levels and elevated free T4.

The hyperthyroidism found in de Quervain can be differentiated from Graves disease by the lack of exophthalmos and pretibial myxedema. These are typically not found in de Quervain thyroiditis but are common in patients with Graves disease. Bedside ultrasound can also be useful as it can show increased vascularity in Graves disease. This finding is absent in de Quervain disease. [1]

In the hypothyroid phase, TSH levels are elevated, and free T4 is low. During the transition period from hyper- to hypothyroidism, low TSH and T4 levels can be found; this finding can lead to the mistaken diagnosis of central hypothyroidism.

Treatment for de Quervain thyroiditis is fairly straightforward, with anti-inflammatory treatment being the key. Salicylates or NSAIDs can be used for patients with the mild or moderate disease. For more advanced cases, corticosteroids can be started with doses ranging from 15 to 20 mg a day tapered over 4 to 6 weeks. There is usually a marked improvement of symptoms within 48 hours.

Steroids, while reducing the pain associated with de Quervain, do not necessarily prevent the thyroid dysfunction that can occur during the course of the disease. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism may need to be treated with propranolol or atenolol with close follow up. Additionally, in some cases, patients may even need a short course of levothyroxine (started and monitored by their primary care provider) during the hypothyroid phase.

Therapy with antithyroid drugs in patients with subacute granulomatous thyroiditis is not indicated because the disorder is caused by the release of preformed thyroid hormone from destroyed follicles instead of synthesis of new T3 and T4. [4]

The differential for de Quervain is vast and can include dental pain, pharyngitis, otitis, abscess, thyrotoxicosis or Graves disease among others and is often mistaken for an upper respiratory infection. There have been cases where patients present with a fever of unknown origin, and the workup only reveals subacute thyroiditis. [5]

De Quervain thyroiditis is generally self-limited with patients returning to a euthyroid state within a few months. Recurrence is uncommon but can occur in up to 2% of patients. Hypothyroidism may also become permanent in 5% of cases. [4]

Subacute thyroiditis has been known to cause thyroid storm in rare cases. If there is any concern for this, admission to the intensive care unit is strongly recommended due to the danger of decompensation. [6]

Endocrinology consult should be considered. In moderate to severe cases, inpatient admission should be considered, depending on clinical gestalt and patient presentations.

Patients can be advised that their condition will likely last a few weeks barring any complications and to follow up with their primary care provider as soon as possible for continued monitoring of TSH levels and radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) testing. [4]

Pregnant patients will need immediate obstetric and endocrine consultation.

It is important to remember that a small number of cases can recur, and a small minority of cases can progress to thyrotoxicosis. Patient presentation, history, physical exam, and labs should help in the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis if suspected.

The majority of patients with De Quervain thyroiditis will present to the primary care provider and nurse practitioner. Unfortunately, the diagnosis not always straight forward and a consult from an endocrinologist is recommended. If the patient is pregnant, then a consult from an obstetrician is recommended. Most patients can be treated with NSAIDs and recovery occurs within 2-12 weeks. Serial thyroid levels are necessary because some patients may be rendered hypothyroid. Recurrence is known to occur in about 2% of patients. The condition is benign and does not reduce life expectancy.[7][8][9]