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Ohba K, Sasaki S, Misawa Nakamura H, Matsushita A, Kuroda G, Sakai Y, Nakamura H. Clinical outcomes of 34 patients with resistance to thyroid hormone beta: a twenty-year experience in Japan. Endocr J 2022; 69:179-188. [PMID: 34556608 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej21-0390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to thyroid hormone beta (RTHβ) caused by germline mutations in genes encoding thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) is a rare disorder. Little information is available regarding the clinical experience of this syndrome in Japan. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 34 patients with RTHβ (21 adult females and 13 adult males) with positive TRβ mutations identified at our division between 2000 and 2020. Of the 24 patients with available clinical history, 10 (41.7%) received inappropriate treatments such as antithyroid drugs, thyroidectomy, or radioactive iodine. Diagnostic delay and inappropriate management of RTHβ are still present in Japan. Every patient except one demonstrated thyroid hormone profiles indicative of syndrome of inappropriate secretion of thyrotropin (SITSH), characterized by a hormonal profile of hyperthyroxinemia with a non-suppressed TSH concentration. Since the most common forms of hyperthyroidism including Graves' disease feature elevated thyroid hormone levels with suppressed TSH concentrations, early diagnosis of SITSH is critical for preventing inappropriate management. One patient positive for anti-thyroglobulin antibody (Tg-Ab) and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) showed remarkably elevated TSH (>200 μIU/mL) despite thyroid hormone concentrations within the reference ranges. At least one thyroid autoantibody (Tg-Ab, TPO-Ab, or thyrotropin receptor antibodies) was identified in 37.9% (11/29) of the patients tested. One patient developed overt Graves' disease nine years after RTHβ diagnosis. These findings suggest that RTHβ is frequently comorbid with additional autoimmune thyroid disorders. Further research is required to identify the most appropriate treatments for RTHβ patients who develop a second thyroid disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Ohba
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
- Medical Education Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Shigekazu Sasaki
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Hiroko Misawa Nakamura
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Akio Matsushita
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Go Kuroda
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Yuki Sakai
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Hirotoshi Nakamura
- Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
- Okamoto Thyroid Clinic, Osaka, Osaka 535-0031, Japan
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Timmons JG, Mukhopadhyay B. Hyperthyroxinemia with a non-suppressed TSH: how to confidently reach a diagnosis in this clinical conundrum. Hormones (Athens) 2020; 19:311-315. [PMID: 32128699 PMCID: PMC7426307 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-020-00180-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Disorders of thyroid function are among the commonest referrals to endocrinology. While interpretation of thyroid function testing is usually straightforward, accurate interpretation becomes significantly more challenging when the parameters do not behave as would be expected in normal negative feedback. In such cases, uncertainty regarding further investigation and management arises. An important abnormal pattern encountered in clinical practice is that of high normal or raised free thyroxine (fT4) with inappropriately non-suppressed or elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). In this short review using two clinical vignettes, we examine the diagnostic approach in such cases. A diagnostic algorithm is proposed to ensure that a definitive diagnosis is reached in these challenging cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Timmons
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University Hospital Hairmyres, East Kilbride, Glasgow, UK.
- British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, 126 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
| | - B Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University Hospital Hairmyres, East Kilbride, Glasgow, UK
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