Silent thyroiditis following rubella.
A 40-year-old housewife was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a thyrotoxic state. A month after rubella infection, she developed heat intolerance. Physical examination revealed a hard and non-tender goiter with no signs or symptoms of inflammation. Free thyroid hormones were high and TSH was undetectable. 123I-thyroidal uptake was suppressed. Antithyroglobulin and anti-microsomal antibodies were negative throughout the course. A serologic study revealed high levels of anti-rubella antibodies. After a month without any treatment, she became euthyroid. Free thyroid hormones and TSH gradually became normal and the antibodies to rubella decreased. 123I-thyroidal uptake increased. From the clinical course, the patient was diagnosed as having silent thyroiditis. We suggest that viral infection such as rubella could cause the development of silent thyroiditis.
Nakamura
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, Gifu Red Cross Hospital, Japan.
Kosaka
J
J
Sugimoto
M
M
Watanabe
H
H
Shima
H
H
Takuno
H
H
D000328:Adult; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012409:Rubella / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013967:Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000032:analysis; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000032:analysis; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000032:analysis; D014465:Ultrasonics
D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine