Euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia due to a generalized 5'-deiodinase defect.
We studied an 11-yr-old girl with asymptomatic hyperthyroxinemia, who remained euthyroid and healthy for 5 yr of follow-up. Besides having elevated serum T4 concentrations, her serum free T4 concentrations were consistently elevated, as measured by three different methods, including equilibrium dialysis and ultrafiltration. Serum total and free T3 concentrations were in the low normal range, and serum 3,5-diiodothyronine (3,5-T2) levels were low, suggesting reduced 5'-deiodination of both T4 and T3. Serum total and free rT3 and total and free 3', 5'-T2 concentrations were all markedly elevated, whereas serum total and free 3,3'-T2 were low, suggesting unaltered 5-deiodination of T4 to rT3 and of rT3 to 3',5'-T2 in combination with reduced 5'-deiodination of rT3 and 3',5'-T2. The girl had a small diffuse goiter, her serum TSH response to TRH was exaggerated, and thyroid radioiodine uptake was elevated, suggesting slightly increased TSH secretion and, consequently, increased thyroid secretion. Both T3 and T4 administration resulted in suppressed basal as well as TRH-stimulated serum TSH concentrations, and radioiodine uptake was suppressed during T3 administration. Our data suggest reduced activity of several (all?) peripheral 5'-deiodination pathways, including possibly also thyrotroph T4 5'-deiodination. Thus, this girl seems to have a previously unrecognized syndrome of generalized 5'-deiodinase deficiency.
Kleinhaus
N
N
Institute of Endocrinology, Linn Central Clinic, Haifa, Israel.
Faber
J
J
Kahana
L
L
Schneer
J
J
Scheinfeld
M
M
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000172:deficiency*; D013577:Syndrome; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*
D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase