title: Deep vein thrombosis in a patient of Sheehan's syndrome: Autoimmunity or hypercoagulabilty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Literature is inconsistent whether patients with hypopituitarism have increased risk of thrombosis. Recent data has shown problems with the coagulation system in Sheehan's syndrome (SS). Here, we describe a case of SS which presented with deep vein thrombosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a case of SS presenting as deep vein thrombosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30-year-old female was admitted to the general medicine ward with 1 month history of gradual onset swelling and pain in the left leg. The left calf diameter was 5 cm greater than the right. Doppler of the lower limbs revealed thrombosis in the left popliteal vein. Patient's coagulation profile revealed a normal prothrombin time of 12 sec, activated partial thromboplastin time of 30 sec, positive D-dimer, negative protein C and protein S and normal titres of antinuclear antibodies. Echocardiography showed an ejection fraction of 52 percent. Endocrinology consultation was sought in view of clinical suspicion of hypothyroidism. Endocrinology review revealed a significant past history of primary postpartum hemorrhage, lactation failure and secondary amenorrhea since the delivery of the last child 6 years back. She had clinical features of growth hormone, thyroid hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency. Hormonal analysis showed features of central hypothyroidism, secondary adrenal insufficiency and growth hormone deficiency which was subsequently confirmed by insulin tolerance test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SS patients may have increased risk of thrombosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Shahnaz Ahmad
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mir
authors.forename: Shariq Rashid
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Masoodi
authors.forename: Arshad Iqbal
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Wani
authors.forename: Khalid Jamal
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Farooqui
authors.forename: Mir Iftikhar
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Bashir
keywords: Autoimmunity; Sheehan's syndrome; deep vein thrombosis