Paragliola RM, Concolino P, De Rosa A, Mello E, Zuppi C, Pontecorvi A, Capoluongo E, Corsello SM. The first case of association between postpartum thyroiditis and thyroid hormone resistance in an Italian patient showing a novel p.V283A THRB mutation.
Thyroid 2013;
23:506-10. [PMID:
23134553 DOI:
10.1089/thy.2012.0080]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Postpartum thyroiditis (PPT) is characterized by the development of postpartum thyroid dysfunction, which may occur up to 12 months after delivery. The syndrome usually presents with transient thyrotoxicosis, followed by transient hypothyroidism. The association of this condition with resistance to thyroid hormones (RTH) has never been described.
PATIENT FINDINGS
In this report, we describe a 30-year-old patient affected by RTH due to a novel p.V283A thyroid hormone receptor-β (THRB) heterozygous mutation in exon 8, which affects the ligand-binding domain, never before described in literature. A simple polymorphism was excluded through screening of 100 healthy controls.
SUMMARY
The patient became pregnant twice (in 2008 and in 2009) and developed PPT after both deliveries. Two months after her first pregnancy and one month after her second pregnancy, she presented with severe endogenous thyrotoxicosis and concomitant suppressed thyrotropin (TSH) levels, which represents an unusual finding in patients affected by RTH. Other causes of hyperthyroidism were excluded. After the hyperthyroid phase, she became hypothyroid (TSH >75 mU/L and low free-thyroxine and free-tri-iodothyronine levels), and eventually returned to her usual euthyroid status. During the course of PPT, no specific treatment was required, except for β-blockers used to treat tachycardia during the hyperthyroid phase.
CONCLUSIONS
We report a unique case of a woman affected by RTH, due to a novel mutation V283A in THRB, who experienced PPT with a severe thyrotoxic phase after both her pregnancies. The association between RTH and PPT has never been reported in the literature. In particular, the marked suppression of TSH occurring when levels of TH are particularly elevated is not a frequent condition during RTH.
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