What Are The Types Of Thyroiditis?

Drug-Induced Thyroiditis

Drug-induced thyroiditis is one of the rarest forms of thyroiditis, as it's a very unusual cause. The underlying cause of thyroiditis is usually related to a different complication rather than a medication side effect. However, some individuals have been documented as developing thyroiditis in response to medications that include cytokines, lithium, interferons, and amiodarone. It can be hard to pinpoint the issue and cause since these problems only arise in a small number of patients. Some doctors might not have even heard of these medications causing thyroid issues. Cytokines are responsible for helping the immune system cells communicate with the body. They cause inflammatory responses in the body, which may be why they're linked to thyroiditis. Lithium is a medication used to treat bipolar disorder and sometimes used as an antipsychotic. It has well-documented effects at managing manic episodes and reducing erratic electrical activity in the brain, but it has also been linked to the development of thyroiditis in some patients.