Paraneoplastic hyperthyroidism.
The authors describe a 31-year-old male with a metastatic germ cell tumour and massively elevated human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) levels who presented with hyperthyroidism. As HCG is structurally closely related to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), it can activate the TSH receptor; grossly elevated levels may result in hyperthyroidism. After initiation of chemotherapy, HCG levels decreased and hyperthyroidism resolved.
Endocrinology Department, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. sibskohler@gmx.ch
Sibylle
S
Kohler
Oliver
O
Tschopp
Emanuel
E
Jacky
Christoph
C
Schmid
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin