Painless thyroiditis followed by autoimmune disorders of the thyroid. A case report with biopsy.

Painless thyroiditis is a clinical entity of unknown origin. We report a case of a woman first seen with painless thyroiditis, who consequently developed a true hyperthyroidism, then exophthalmos and finally permanent hypothyroidism. The biopsy findings and serum antibodies determinations at the final stage were of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The case is discussed and the need for a long follow-up after a painless thyroiditis is stressed.