RESUMO

Jaundice related to thyrotoxicosis and not as an effect of antithyroid drugs is a rare complication that usually occurs in the presence of heart failure (HF) or hepatitis. We report a case of a 54-year-old white woman with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves's disease and jaundice despite methimazole suspension. Bilirubin fluctuated at high values, between 30.0 and 52.3 mg/dL, transaminases were slightly increased, on admission ALT = 46 U/L and AST = 87 U/L; coagulation indices and serum proteins were on the lower limit of the normal range with PT 68% and albumin = 2.5 g/dL. Serology for hepatitis was negative. After the first radioiodine therapy (RT), bilirubin reached its maximum, which coincided with the worst period of HF exacerbation. Bilirubin normalized 4 weeks after the second RT, with the stabilization of HF and normalization of thyroid hormones. We discuss the possible etiologies of severe jaundice in hyperthyroid patients, as well as the difficult anticoagulant therapy with warfarin.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Icterícia relacionada à tireotoxicose, e não como efeito das drogas antitireoidianas, é uma complicação rara que, em geral, ocorre na presença de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) ou hepatite. Apresentamos o caso de mulher de 54 anos de idade, branca, diagnóstico de hipertireoidismo por doença de Graves com icterícia associada a despeito da suspensão prévia de metimazol. A bilirrubina oscilava em valores elevados entre 30,0 e 52,3 mg/dL, as transaminases eram pouco elevadas com valores de ALT, na admissão, de 46 U/I e AST de 87 U/I; coagulograma e proteínas encontravam-se no limite inferior da normalidade, sendo TAP 68% e albumina = 2,5 g/dL. Sorologias para hepatites foram negativas. Após a primeira dose de radioiodoterapia (RT), a bilirrubina atingiu seu valor máximo, que coincidiu com período de pior exacerbação da IC. A bilirrubina normalizou-se após quatro semanas da segunda dose de RT com a estabilização da IC e a normalização dos hormônios tireoidianos. Discutimos as possíveis etiologias de icterícia severa em pacientes hipertireoideos, assim como a difícil terapia anticoagulante com varfarina.

Jaundice related to thyrotoxicosis and not as an effect of antithyroid drugs is a rare complication that usually occurs in the presence of heart failure (HF) or hepatitis. We report a case of a 54-year-old white woman with hyperthyroidism caused by Graves's disease and jaundice despite methimazole suspension. Bilirubin fluctuated at high values, between 30.0 and 52.3 mg/dL, transaminases were slightly increased, on admission ALT = 46 U/L and AST = 87 U/L; coagulation indices and serum proteins were on the lower limit of the normal range with PT 68% and albumin = 2.5 g/dL. Serology for hepatitis was negative. After the first radioiodine therapy (RT), bilirubin reached its maximum, which coincided with the worst period of HF exacerbation. Bilirubin normalized 4 weeks after the second RT, with the stabilization of HF and normalization of thyroid hormones. We discuss the possible etiologies of severe jaundice in hyperthyroid patients, as well as the difficult anticoagulant therapy with warfarin.

Assuntos

RESUMO

A insuficiência cardíaca é uma das complicações mais conhecidas do hipertireoidismo, sendo mais comumente de alto débito, mas alguns pacientes evoluem com miocardiopatia dilatada e baixa fração de ejeção. Apresentamos paciente de 35 anos, sexo masculino, com hipertireoidismo, fibrilação atrial (FA) e insuficiência cardíaca grave com disfunção sistólica e fração de ejeção de 43 por cento. Após o tratamento definitivo do hipertireoidismo com radioiodo, houve reversão da insuficiência cardíaca, com melhora clínica e ecocardiográfica, incluindo normalização da fração de ejeção (69 por cento). Vários são os casos descritos de reversão da insuficiência cardíaca com o tratamento do hipertiroidismo, porém na sua maioria de insuficiência cardíaca de alto débito. Os mecanismos pelo qual o hipertireoidismo pode levar à disfunção sistólica, assim como seu tratamento, são discutidos. Concluímos que o tratamento do hipertireoidismo pode recuperar a miocardiopatia tireotóxica, mesmo em casos mais graves com comprometimento da função sistólica.

Heart failure is one of the most known complications of hyperthyroidism, more commonly high-output heart failure, but some patients may develop dilated cardiomyopathy with low ejection fraction. We report a 35-year-old man, with hyperthyroidism, atrial fibrillation, and severe heart failure with 43 percent of ejection fraction. After the definitive treatment of the hyperthyroidism with radioiodine, heart failure was reverted, with symptomatic improvement and echocardiographic normalization including a normal ejection fraction (69 percent). There are several cases of reversion of heart failure due to hyperthyroidism treatment, but most of them with a high-output heart failure. Mechanisms by which hyperthyroidism can lead to heart failure and its treatment are discussed. We conclude that treatment of hyperthyroidism may reverse this thyroid related heart failure, even in severe cases with systolic dysfunction.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Heart failure is one of the most known complications of hyperthyroidism, more commonly high-output heart failure, but some patients may develop dilated cardiomyopathy with low ejection fraction. We report a 35-year-old man, with hyperthyroidism, atrial fibrillation, and severe heart failure with 43% of ejection fraction. After the definitive treatment of the hyperthyroidism with radioiodine, heart failure was reverted, with symptomatic improvement and echocardiographic normalization including a normal ejection fraction (69%). There are several cases of reversion of heart failure due to hyperthyroidism treatment, but most of them with a high-output heart failure. Mechanisms by which hyperthyroidism can lead to heart failure and its treatment are discussed. We conclude that treatment of hyperthyroidism may reverse this thyroid related heart failure, even in severe cases with systolic dysfunction.

Assuntos