Interferon-Alpha Induced Severe Hypothyroidism Followed by Graves' Disease in a Patient Infected with Hepatitis C Virus.
10.11106/ijt.2015.8.2.230
- Author:
Kyoung Jin KIM
1
;
Kang Won LEE
;
Ju Hee CHOI
;
Jee Hyun AN
Author Information
1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jeehyunan@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Interferons;
Non-autoimmune hypothyroidism;
Graves' disease
- MeSH:
Autoantibodies;
Diagnosis;
Female;
Graves Disease*;
Hepacivirus*;
Hepatitis C*;
Hepatitis*;
Hepatitis, Chronic;
Humans;
Hypothyroidism*;
Interferon-alpha*;
Interferons;
Middle Aged;
Ribavirin;
Thyroid Gland;
Thyroiditis;
Thyroiditis, Autoimmune
- From:International Journal of Thyroidology
2015;8(2):230-234
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is an important therapeutic agent for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but has various side effects including thyroiditis. We report a case of interferon-induced non-autoimmune hypothyroidism followed by autoimmune-medicated Graves' disease. A 59-year-old woman was diagnosed with chronic active hepatitis C; she had been treated with IFN-alpha and ribavirin for 24 weeks. Before starting the IFN-alpha, her thyroid function was normal and she was negative for autoantibodies. Severe hypothyroidism developed 5 weeks after halting the IFN-alpha, with the Graves' disease phase arising at 32 weeks. For accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of thyroid dysfunction during treatment with IFN-alpha, we need to understand and consider rare cases of multiphasic disorder involving both non-autoimmune and autoimmune thyroiditis induced by IFN-alpha.
