One thyroid disorder, called thyroiditis, combines the features of both conditions.
Patients first develop hyperthyroidism, and then hypothyroidism as the disease process resolves.
Eventually, normal function is restored. No specific treatment is available for the hyperthyroidism and the hypothyroidism is usually brief, requiring either no treatment at all or only several months of treatment with thyroxine. An accurate diagnosis of thyroiditis will prevent inappropriate treatments for the as well as unnecessary long-term treatment of the hypothyroidism with thyroxine.