Thyroid dysfunction induced by interferon therapy for the treatment of hepatitis type C. A report of 4 cases.
We describe 4 patients with onset or aggravation of thyroid dysfunction induced by interferon (IFN) treatment of hepatitis type C. All 4 patients were females; 2 had hyperthyroidism and 2 had hypothyroidism during or after IFN therapy. The onset or aggravation of thyroid dysfunction occurred during administration of IFN in 1 patient and 4 weeks after the end of IFN therapy in the remaining 3 patients. The 2 patients who demonstrated hyperthyroidism were euthyroid and negative for thyroid autoantibodies before receiving IFN therapy. The remaining 2 patients who demonstrated hypothyroidism were positive for thyroid autoantibodies before IFN therapy. One of these patients had a slight decrease in thyroid function before IFN therapy. Anti-thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibodies became positive in all 4 patients. Since there may have been a causal relationship between IFN therapy and the onset or aggravation of thyroid dysfunction, IFN therapy should be administered with caution.
Yamakawa
Y
Y
Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan.
Sata
M
M
Nakano
H
H
Ide
T
T
Noguchi
S
S
Tokeshi
S
S
Tanikawa
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007372:Interferons