Correlation between the depth of inverted T waves and the serum level of ferritin in a deferoxamine-treated patient with primary hemochromatosis and hyperthyroidism.
A 74-year-old female having primary hemochromatosis and hyperthyroidism is described. The initial ECG showed sinus rhythm, and depression of ST segment and inversion of T waves in I, II, III, aVF, and V4-6. By deferoxamine and propylthiouracil, the serum level of ferritin was decreased from 4,500 ng/ml to 440 ng/ml in a period of 6 months. The thyroid function was also returned to normal. After cessation of both drugs, the serum ferritin level increased gradually reaching a level of 3,100 ng/ml in the next 15 months but the thyroid function remained normal. During and after the deferoxamine administration, the depth of inverted T waves became more shallow and gradually deeper again, respectively. There seemed to be a correlation between the depth of inverted T waves and the serum level of ferritin. It was, however, unlikely that toxic iron may have induced the hyperfunction of the thyroid gland.
Kurabayashi
H
H
Department of Medicine, Kusatsu Branch Hospital, Gunma University School of Medicine, Japan.
Kubota
K
K
Tamura
J
J
Yanagisawa
T
T
Shirakura
T
T
D000368:Aged; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011441:Propylthiouracil; D005293:Ferritins; D003676:Deferoxamine