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 |  | With Health Insurance: Doctor-Visit and Prescription Copays |  | Without Health Insurance: $180-$540 Per Year |
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Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid that causes excess thyroid hormones to be released into the bloodstream. At first, symptoms can be similar to those of hyperthyroid, and can include tremors, agitation, trouble concentrating and rapid heart rate. The thyroid typically returns to normal after a year or more.
Typical costs: |
- For patients covered by health insurance, the typical cost of thyroiditis treatment will include doctor visit copays and prescription drug copays. Thyroiditis treatment typically is covered by health insurance.
- For patients not covered by health insurance, the typical cost depends on the type of thyroiditis -- and can range from less than $500 for subacute or silent thyroiditis, which typically resolve on their own and might require some monitoring, to $15-$45 per month -- or $180-$540 per year -- for the synthetic thyroid hormone typically prescribed. For example, Drugstore.com charges about $15-$20, depending on the dose, for a one-month supply of the brand-name drug Levothroid, or $25-$45 for a one-month supply of the brand-name drug Synthroid. And Drugstore.com charges less than $20 for a one-month supply of the steroid Prednisone.
Related articles: Thyroid Test, Hyperthyroidism Treatment, Hypothyroidism Treatment, Blood Tests, Health Insurance
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What should be included: |
- For chronic thyroiditis, also called Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the most common type, a doctor typically recommends monitoring and might prescribe oral hormone replacement.
- For subacute thyroiditis, also called De Quervain's thyroiditis or granulomatous thyroiditis, the doctor typically recommends rest and aspirin, and the condition usually resolves within a few weeks or months. In cases that are slow to resolve, the doctor might recommend steroids or hormone replacement.
- For silent thyroiditis, which is less common that the other two types and usually occurs after pregnancy, treatment typically is not necessary and the condition usually resolves within three months. A small number of patients require hormone replacement.
- The EndocrineWeb.com offers an overview of types of thyroiditis and treatments[1] .
Additional costs: |
- In some cases, the doctor prescribes beta blockers[2] to control rapid heartbeat. These typically cost from about $10-$200 per month.
Discounts: |
- Some clinics offer specialist care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator for clinics[3] that provide discounts on an income-based sliding scale.
- Some drug manufacturers offer free or discounted medicines to patients in need. For example, Abbott Laboratories[4] , the maker of Synthroid, has a patient assistance program that provides a limited supply of free medication to low-income patients who do not have prescription drug coverage.
Shopping for thyroiditis treatment: |
- A primary care physician can make a referral to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating problems with the endocrine system. Or, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists offers a doctor locator[5] by city and state. To help patients find an endocrinologist who focuses on thyroid problems, the American Thyroid Association offers a thyroid specialist locator[6] by state.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
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External Resources: |
- www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/thyroiditis
- www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/2pager_BetaBlockers.pdf
- findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
- www.abbviepaf.org
- /www.aace.com/resources/find-an-endocrinologist
- www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/endocrinology-thyroid-doctor/
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