Acute thyroiditis

This code signifies an acute inflammatory condition of the thyroid gland. It is characterized by a sudden onset of thyroid pain, tenderness, and often systemic symptoms such as fever and malaise. The inflammation can be caused by various factors, including viral or bacterial infections.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of acute thyroiditis. This typically includes patient complaints of sudden neck pain, tenderness over the thyroid, and clinical findings consistent with acute inflammation. Supporting documentation should specify the acute nature of the thyroiditis.

• Differentiate from subacute or chronic thyroiditis, which have distinct ICD-10-CM codes.
• Look for documentation specifying the etiology (e.g., viral, bacterial) if known, as this may lead to an additional code for the underlying cause.
• Ensure the physician's documentation explicitly states "acute thyroiditis" or provides clinical details that unequivocally support an acute presentation.