Systematic Review to Gauge the Effect of Levothyroxine Substitution on Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients With Hypothyroidism and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and thyroid dysfunction are two disorders that are closely related. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of levothyroxine supplementation on diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients with co-existing thyroid dysfunction. We explored medical databases such as PubMed, Medline, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), and Cochrane Library for relevant medical literature. The papers were screened, and 12 research papers involving 10,371 patients were identified after applying eligibility criteria and quality assessment using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The included papers analyzed the effect of aberrant thyroid profile on kidney disease in diabetic individuals and the role that achieving euthyroid status with levothyroxine supplementation could play in diabetic nephropathy. Reduced free triiodothyronine (FT3) was the most common independent factor associated with diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications. Levothyroxine (LT4) regimen was more effective than the placebo in lowering urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and uric acid and decreasing oxidative stress overall. However, replacement therapy's effect may differ in the short and long terms. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT) may reduce the risk of diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular disease (CVD) development in hypothyroid patients, but more randomized trials are needed to confirm the effect of THRT.

Looking Beyond What You See: A Rare Cause of Dysphagia

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine condition with typical symptoms such as cold intolerance, weight gain, fatigue, constipation, and coarse skin, as well as less common symptoms such as depression, difficulty in concentration, and hair thinning. It is usually diagnosed by combining clinical features and applying clinical judgment; however, the wide spectrum of presenting symptoms can sometimes lead to a diagnostic dilemma. Dysphagia secondary to hypothyroidism is a rarely reported symptom in the literature and is believed to be associated with a hormonal effect on esophageal and gastric motility with neuromuscular incoordination; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's disease, which can rarely manifest as heartburn, possibly due to esophageal dysmotility. Herein, we describe an unusual presentation of severe hypothyroidism with dysphagia, for which we could not identify any obstructive cause despite extensive investigations This condition was resolved successfully with levothyroxine treatment. Through this report, we aimed to communicate to the audience the important learning message that hypothyroidism may cause symptoms of dysphagia and to inform practitioners regarding this possibility, which should be considered after ruling out any obstructive pathology.

Association of Thyroid Function and Severity of Illness in Liver Cirrhosis as Measured by Child-Pugh Score

Objective The main aim of this study is to understand the existing knowledge gap between thyroid function tests and the severity of liver cirrhosis as measured by the Child-Pugh score. Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis of liver. Serum triiodothyronine (free T3), thyroxine (free T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured, and the severity of liver cirrhosis was measured by Child-Pugh score and statistical analysis were done to investigate the association of free T3, free T4 and TSH levels with Child-A, Child-B, and Child-C severity groups. Results The results revealed that there is a statistically significant positive correlation between TSH levels and Child-Pugh score, whereas a statistically significant negative correlation was associated between free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4) levels, and Child-Pugh Score. Further, we also observed that the Child-C group has 7.5-fold risk of increased TSH levels (odds ratio {OR} = 7.553, 95% CI = 2.869-19.883, p = 0.000), has 5-fold risk of decreased fT3 levels (OR = 5.023, 95% CI = 1.369-18.431, p = 0.009) and has 6.4-fold risk of decreased fT4 levels (OR = 6.402, 95% CI = 2.516-16.290, p = 0.000). Conclusion Our results demonstrated that there is a positive and direct correlation associated between increasing TSH with severity of liver cirrhosis as measured by Child-Pugh score, whereas a negative and inverse correlation was observed between decreasing fT3 and fT4 levels with the severity of liver cirrhosis as measured by Child-Pugh score. This suggests that the Child-Pugh score can be used as a prognostic indicator in cirrhotic patients.

Can Thyrotropin, Tri-Iodothyronine, and Thyroxine Hormones be Predictors of Cancer in Thyroid Lesions?

Background Thyroid nodules are a common medical problem worldwide. This study aims to investigate and elucidate the relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3), and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a public specialist hospital in Saudi Arabia from February 2020 to February 2021. All thyroid nodules were scanned using ultrasound imaging, and the largest diameter was measured for each and classified according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) classification system. Thyroid function tests TSH, T3, and T4 were measured. Definitive diagnoses of thyroid nodules were given based on cytology. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to compare means, and cross-tabulation was used to correlate the variables in the study. Results A total of 222 patients participated in this study; 23.42% were male and 76.57% were females. The mean age was 44.73 ± 13.31 years (range: 18 to 85 years). The percentage of malignancy was 20.6%, 36.3%, and 91.2% in TIRADS 3, TIRADS 4, and TIRADS 5, respectively. A weak positive linear relationship was noted between nodule size and TSH (R²= 0.012). The study demonstrates that TSH increases in malignant nodules more than in benign nodules, while T4 and T3 are decreased in malignant nodules. Conclusion The level of TSH increases in patients with malignant thyroid nodules more than in benign nodules, which can be used as a predictor of malignancy, while T4 and T3 reduced in malignant nodules with an ambiguous relationship.

Pseudo-pheochromocytoma due to obstructive sleep apnea: a case report

SUMMARY

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition of intermittent nocturnal upper airway obstruction. OSA increases sympathetic drive which may result in clinical and biochemical features suggestive of pheochromocytoma. We present the case of a 65-year-old male with a 2.9-cm left adrenal incidentaloma on CT, hypertension, symptoms of headache, anxiety and diaphoresis, and persistently elevated 24-h urine norepinephrine (initially 818 nmol/day (89-470)) and normetanephrine (initially 11.2 µmol/day (0.6-2.7)). He was started on prazosin and underwent left adrenalectomy. Pathology revealed an adrenal corticoadenoma with no evidence of pheochromocytoma. Over the next 2 years, urine norepinephrine and normetanephrine remained significantly elevated with no MIBG avid disease. Years later, he was diagnosed with severe OSA and treated with continuous positive airway pressure. Urine testing done once OSA was well controlled revealed complete normalization of urine norepinephrine and normetanephrine with substantial symptom improvement. It was concluded that the patient never had a pheochromocytoma but rather an adrenal adenoma with biochemistry and symptoms suggestive of pheochromocytoma due to untreated severe OSA. Pseudo-pheochromocytoma is a rare presentation of OSA and should be considered on the differential of elevated urine catecholamines and metanephrines in the right clinical setting.

LEARNING POINTS

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition among adults. OSA may rarely present as pseudo-pheochromocytoma with symptoms of pallor, palpitations, perspiration, headache, or anxiety. OSA should be considered on the differential of elevated urine catecholamines and metanephrines, especially in patients with negative metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan results.

An Interesting Case of Euthyroid Graves' Ophthalmopathy, With Negative Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor Antibodies

Thyroid eye disease (TED), also known as Graves' orbitopathy or ophthalmopathy (GO) or Graves' eye disease, is an autoimmune condition of the retroocular tissues associated with Graves' disease. In isolated GO, the patient can present without thyroid hormone dysfunction or systemic symptoms of Graves' disease, in which case it is called euthyroid Graves' ophthalmopathy (EGO). It is very rare for this condition to have negative thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) autoantibodies, and we present such a rare case of a young female, who had progressive bilateral vision loss, intermittent left-sided retroocular headache, and severe bilateral proptosis. The patient was diagnosed with EGO based on multidisciplinary consults, diagnostic orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results, and a good response to treatment with intravenous steroids. Later, the patient was followed as an outpatient and treated with thyroid orbitopathy-specific immunotherapy with teprotumumab. The patient's response to teprotumumab was excellent and caused significant improvement in visual acuity, proptosis, and chemosis. This adds valuable literature to the medical field and gives insight to clinicians to consider the diagnosis of GO even with seronegative TSHR autoantibodies and euthyroid hormone status. It also adds to the understanding of the complex pathophysiology of this rare condition.

Unraveling the Role of Hypothyroidism in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Pathogenesis: Correlations, Conflicts, and the Current Stand

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common causes of chronic liver diseases globally. Because thyroid hormones play a crucial role in lipid metabolism, thyroid dysfunction has been implicated in NAFLD pathogenesis in the past decade, with hypothyroidism-induced NAFLD being regarded as a distinct disease entity. However, there has been no common consensus yet, and several studies have found contradictory results. Hence, we conducted this systematic review to represent the current view on the role of hypothyroidism (HT) and individual thyroid function parameters such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) in NAFLD pathogenesis. We searched PubMed, PubMed Central, and Semantic Scholar databases from inception until January 2021 to identify relevant observational (case-control, cross-sectional, and longitudinal) studies. A total of 699 articles were recognized through our database search. After applying the eligibility criteria and performing quality assessment, 10 studies involving 42,227 participants were included in the final systematic review. Each of these studies assessed different thyroid function parameters, and NAFLD was found to be associated with HT in two studies, elevated TSH in three studies, suppressed T4 in three studies, elevated T3 in one study, and elevated TPOAb in one study. There was also a wide heterogeneity in HT definition, study population characteristics, and study design among these studies, making a direct comparison difficult. Because the recognition of HT-induced NAFLD has possible diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic implications, we recommend that comprehensive, long-term prospective studies be carried out to determine if HT or thyroid function parameters are causally associated with NAFLD.

Severe early onset obesity and hypopituitarism in a child with a novel SIM1 gene mutation

SUMMARY

Single-minded homolog 1 (SIM1) is a transcription factor that plays a role in the development of both the hypothalamus and pituitary. SIM1 gene mutations are known to cause obesity in humans, and chromosomal deletions encompassing SIM1 and other genes necessary for pituitary development can cause a Prader-Willi-like syndrome with obesity and hypopituitarism. There have been no reported cases of hypopituitarism linked to a single SIM1 mutation. A 21-month-old male presented to endocrinology clinic with excessive weight gain and severe obesity. History was also notable for excessive drinking and urination. Endocrine workup revealed central hypothyroidism, partial diabetes insipidus, and central adrenal insufficiency. Genetic evaluation revealed a novel mutation in the SIM1 gene. No other genetic abnormalities to account for his obesity and hypopituitarism were identified. While we cannot definitively state this mutation is pathogenic, it is notable that SIM1 plays a role in the development of all three of the patient's affected hormone axes. He is now 6 years old and remains on treatment for his pituitary hormone deficiencies and continues to exhibit excessive weight gain despite lifestyle interventions.

LEARNING POINTS

Mutations in SIM1 are a well-recognized cause of monogenic human obesity, and there have been case reports of Prader-Willi-like syndrome and hypopituitarism in patients with chromosomal deletions that contain the SIM1 gene. SIM1 is expressed during the development of the hypothalamus, specifically in neuroendocrine lineages that give rise to the hormones oxytocin, arginine vasopressin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone, and somatostatin. Pituitary testing should be considered in patients with severe obesity and a known genetic abnormality affecting the SIM1 gene, particularly in the pediatric population.

Thyroid storm with delayed hyperbilirubinemia and severe heart failure: indication and contraindication of plasma exchange

SUMMARY

Thyroid storm (TS) is a life-threatening condition that may suffer thyrotoxic patients. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a rescue approach for TS with acute hepatic failure, but it should be initiated with careful considerations. We present a 55-year-old male patient with untreated Graves' disease who developed TS. Severe hyperthyroidism and refractory atrial fibrillation with congestive heart failure aggregated to multiple organ failure. The patient was recovered by intensive multimodal therapy, but we had difficulty in introducing TPE treatment considering the risk of exacerbation of congestive heart failure due to plasma volume overload. In addition, serum total bilirubin level was not elevated in the early phase to the level of indication for TPE. The clinical course of this patient instructed delayed elevation of bilirubin until the level of indication for TPE in some patients and also demonstrated the risk of exacerbation of congestive heart failure by TPE.

LEARNING POINTS

Our patient with thyroid storm could be diagnosed and treated promptly using Japan Thyroid Association guidelines for thyroid storm. Delayed elevation of serum bilirubin levels could make the decision of introducing therapeutic plasma exchange difficult in cases of thyroid storm with acute hepatic failure. The risk of worsening congestive heart failure should be considered carefully when performing therapeutic plasma exchange.

Metastatic papillary thyroid cancer presenting with a recurrent necrotic cystic cervical lymph node

Summary

We report a case of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma presenting with a recurrent right-sided cervical lymph node necrotic cyst. A 55-year-old woman presented with a 3-month history of a right-sided upper neck mass following an upper respiratory tract infection. Past medical history includes a right-sided nephrectomy secondary to a benign renal tumor and hypertension. She was evaluated by Otolaryngology, and fine-needle aspiration was performed. The mass recurred 2 months following aspiration. Ultrasound of the neck showed a 2.2 × 1.4 × 1.9 cm right cervical lymph node with a small fatty hilum but a thickened cortex. Neck computed tomography (CT) scan showed a well-defined 2.3 cm mass in the right upper neck corresponding to a necrotic cervical lymph node at level IIA. It also revealed a 7 mm calcified left thyroid nodule. Cytology revealed a moderate collection of murky fluid with mildly atypical cells presumed to be reactive given the clinical history of infection. The cyst had re-grown 2 months following aspiration. Excisional biopsy was performed and revealed metastatic classic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Subsequently, a total thyroidectomy and right neck dissection was performed. Pathology confirmed metastatic unifocal classic PTC of the right thyroid lobe and two lymph node metastases out of a total of 17 resected lymph nodes. The patient underwent radioactive iodine ablation. Subsequent I-131 radioiodine whole-body scan showed no evidence of metastases. In conclusion, metastatic PTC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a recurrent solitary cystic cervical lymph node.

Learning Points

Metastatic PTC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a recurrent solitary cystic cervical lymph node. A dedicated thyroid ultrasound is the preferred modality for identifying thyroid lesion over computed tomography. There is a risk of non-diagnostic cytology following FNA for cystic neck lesions, largely predicted by the cyst content of the nodule.

Acromegaly remission, SIADH and pituitary function recovery after macroadenoma apoplexy

Summary

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare but potentially life-threatening clinical syndrome characterised by ischaemic infarction or haemorrhage into a pituitary tumour that can lead to spontaneous remission of hormonal hypersecretion. We report the case of a 50-year-old man who attended the emergency department for sudden onset of headache. A computed tomography (CT) scan at admission revealed pituitary haemorrhage and the blood test confirmed the clinical suspicion of acromegaly and an associated hypopituitarism. The T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the classic pituitary ring sign on the right side of the pituitary. Following admission, he developed acute-onset hyponatraemia that required hypertonic saline administration, improving progressively. Surprisingly, during the follow-up, IGF1 levels became normal and he progressively recovered pituitary function.

Learning Points

Patients with pituitary apoplexy may have spontaneous remission of hormonal hypersecretion. If it is not an emergency, we should delay a decision to undertake surgery following apoplexy and re-evaluate hormone secretion. Hyponatraemia is an acute sign of hypocortisolism in pituitary apoplexy. However, SIADH although uncommon, could appear later as a consequence of direct hypothalamic insult and requires active and individualised treatment. For this reason, closely monitoring sodium at the beginning of the episode and throughout the first week is advisable to guard against SIADH. Despite being less frequent, if pituitary apoplexy is limited to the tumour, the patient can recover pituitary function previously damaged by the undiagnosed macroadenoma.