title: Subclinical hypothyroidism, overt thyrotoxicosis and subclinical hypothyroidism: the subsequent phases of thyroid function in a patient chronically treated with amiodarone.
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 Amiodarone was withdrawn and methylprednisolone and methimazole treatment was started with resolution of the thyrotoxic phase.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.
authors.affiliation: Centro per lo Studio, Università di Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Minelli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gardini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bianconi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roti
mesh_terms: D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008713:Methimazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000097:blood; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D008713:Methimazole; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D000638:Amiodarone; D013974:Thyroxine; D008775:Methylprednisolone