Objective To summarize the relationship between IgG4 and IgG4 related thyroid diseases. Methods Domestic and international publications involving the pathological features of IgG4-related thyroid diseases and relationship with IgG4 were retrieved and reviewed. Results IgG4-related disease was a newly recognized class of chronic and systemic lymphocytes disease, which may be solitary or involving multiple body organs, as well as thyroid. The expression of IgG4 was found in leisons of Hashimoto thyroiditis, Riedel thyroiditis, and papillary thyroid carcinoma. Conclusions IgG4-related thyroid disease is a new concept of thyroiditis. The knowledge of this new disease will provide appropriate treatment for patients with thyroiditis.