title: An unusual cause of epidemic thyrotoxicosis.
abstract: We describe the case of four patients consulting for headache and tachycardia of brutal onset. Their biological data were compatible with primary hyperthyroidism with low TSH and high T4 serum levels. Serum thyroglobulin level was low and Tc-scintigraphy showed decreased uptake with a homogenous pattern. These results allowed to conclude a thyrotoxicosis caused by thyroid hormones intake. History taking revealed consumption of beef neck meat containing all or parts of the bovine thyroid gland. Evolution was favourable with beta-blockers. A literature review of « hamburger thyrotoxicosis » is presented.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , Cliniques Universitaires St Luc , brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wartique
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , Cliniques Universitaires St Luc , brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pothen
authors.affiliation: b Department of Endocrinology , Cliniques Universitaires St Luc , brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pirson
authors.affiliation: b Department of Endocrinology , Cliniques Universitaires St Luc , brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Michel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hermans
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , Cliniques Universitaires St Luc , brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: a Department of Internal Medicine , Cliniques Universitaires St Luc , brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yildiz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069466:Red Meat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hamburger thyrotoxicosis; Hyperthyroidism