De Quervain's thyroiditis medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Furqan M M. M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

The mainstay of therapy for de Quervain’s thyroiditis is aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain control. Beta-adrenergic blockers are recommended for the patients who develop thyrotoxic symptoms. Corticosteroids are usually used in severely ill patients. Levothyroxine is required if the patient develops hypothyroidism following the resolution of the hyperthyroid state.

Medical Therapy

The drugs used in the treatment of de Quervain’s thyroiditis are:^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

For pain
- Preferred regimen (1): Naproxen: 500 to 1000 mg per day in two divided doses
- Preferred regimen (2): Ibuprofen: 1200 to 3200 mg per day in three or four divided doses
For severe condition
- Preferred regimen (1): Prednisone: 40 mg per day orally
For hypothyroidism
Preferred regimen (1): Synthetic levothyroxine (L-T4): 1.6–1.8 μg/kg per day orally
For thyrotoxic symptoms
- Preferred regimen (1): atenolol: 25-200mg per day orally
- Preferred regimen (2): metoprolol: 25-200mg per day orally

References

↑ Engkakul P, Mahachoklertwattana P, Poomthavorn P (2011). “Eponym : de Quervain thyroiditis”. Eur. J. Pediatr. 170 (4): 427–31. doi:10.1007/s00431-010-1306-4. PMID 20886353.
↑ Yamamoto M, Saito S, Sakurada T, Fukazawa H, Yoshida K, Kaise K, Kaise N, Nomura T, Itagaki Y, Yonemitsu K (1987). “Effect of prednisolone and salicylate on serum thyroglobulin level in patients with subacute thyroiditis”. Clin. Endocrinol. (Oxf). 27 (3): 339–44. PMID 3427792.
↑ Volpé R (1993). “The management of subacute (DeQuervain’s) thyroiditis”. Thyroid. 3 (3): 253–5. PMID 8257868.
↑ Feely J, Peden N (1984). “Use of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs in hyperthyroidism”. Drugs. 27 (5): 425–46. PMID 6144501.

Overview