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Subclinical hypothyroidism, overt thyrotoxicosis and subclinical hypothyroidism: The subsequent phases of thyroid function in a patient chronically treated with amiodarone

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Abstract

In a patient chronically treated with amiodarone, subclinical iodine-induced hypothyroidism occurred as a result of excess iodine released from the amiodarone molecule. The patient was maintained on amiodarone and developed thyrotoxicosis as a result of a destructive process into the thyroid follicles. Amiodarone was withdrawn and methylprednisolone and methimazole treatment was started with resolution of the thyrotoxic phase. Months later, off therapy, the patient developed subclinical hypothyroidism. This is the first description of hypo-and hyperthyroidism in the same patient caused by amiodarone therapy. This unusual observation suggests that patients treated with amiodarone are at risk to develop hyperthyroidism even if they show laboratory findings consistent with hypothyroidism.

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Author notes

  1. R. Minelli (Recipient) & E. Gardini (Recipient)

    Present address: Associazione Volontaria Promozione Ricerca Tumori (A.VO.PRO.RI.T.), Parma, Italy

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro per lo Studio, Prevenzione, Diagnosi e Cura delle Tireopatie, Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Universita di Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43100, Parma, Italy

    R. Minelli (Recipient), E. Gardini (Recipient), L. Bianconi, M. Salvi &  Elio Roti

Authors
  1. R. Minelli
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  2. E. Gardini
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  3. L. Bianconi
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  4. M. Salvi
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  5. Elio Roti
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Additional information

This work was supported in part by Grants 89.04244.04, 90.01540.CT04, 91.00316.CT04 from Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Rome); Grant “Patologia della Tiroide: Indagine dei Fattori Etiopatogenetici” Ministero Pubblica Istruzione 40% (Rome, Italy); Grant Ricerca Finalizzata Regione Emilia-Romagna 1988–1990.

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Minelli, R., Gardini, E., Bianconi, L. et al. Subclinical hypothyroidism, overt thyrotoxicosis and subclinical hypothyroidism: The subsequent phases of thyroid function in a patient chronically treated with amiodarone. J Endocrinol Invest 15, 853–855 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348819

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03348819

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