Silent (painless) thyroiditis. Evidence of a geographic variation in frequency

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Abstract
Recent reports suggest that 14-23% of thyrotoxic patients have silent (painless) thyroiditis, a newly described syndrome characterized by transient thyrotoxicosis with a low radioactive iodine uptake. A 3 yr review at a Brooklyn (NY) [USA] hospital showed only one definite and 3 possible cases of silent thyroiditis among 86 thyrotoxic patients. At most, 4-5% of thyrotoxic patients had silent thyroiditis. A geographic variation in this syndrome is suggested. Most cases and the largest series are from Japan and the Great Lakes area of North America. The latter may be related to increased iodine intake over many years in a previously endemic area of hypoiodidism and goiter, although other local factors may also be involved.