title: Hypothyroidism mimicking chronic renal failure in reflux nephropathy.
abstract: An adolescent with a history of pyelonephritis and renal scarring had antireflux surgery at the age of 2.5 years. His serum creatinine was high at the age of 14 years (133 micromol/l; glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 56 ml/min x 1.73 m(2)), and reflux nephropathy with chronic renal failure was diagnosed. Because of a fall in height velocity, endocrinological investigations were performed six months later which showed hypothyroidism caused by autoimmune thyroiditis. Substitution with thyroxine was started; renal function improved to normal six months later (GFR 108 ml/min x 1.73 m(2)). Metabolic changes of hypothyroidism led to a reduction of GFR in this patient and mimicked chronic renal failure.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Paediatric Nephrology and Paediatric Haematology, Oncology, and Endocrinology, University Children's Hospital, University of Essen, Germany. martin.bald@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bald
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Hauffa
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wingen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D013974:Thyroxine