We report a case of a 75-year-old female, with a known history of Hashimoto’s disease, who was admitted with anorexia, nausea and vomiting. Laboratory data revealed hyponatremia and hypothyroidism. Despite thyroid hormone replacement with synthetic thyroxine, the patient had persistent hyponatremia. Further investigations revealed secondary adrenal insufficiency but otherwise normal pituitary function, based on a rapid adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) test as part of a combined anterior pituitary stimulation test. She was diagnosed with isolated ACTH deficiency (IAD) with concomitant Hashimoto’s disease. Adrenal insufficiency should be considered in patients with hypothyroidism and persistent hyponatremia. In patients with Hashimoto’s disease who are found to have concomitant hypoadrenalism, IAD should also be suspected after primary adrenal insufficiency is ruled out.

PURPOSE: We conducted a prospective single-center study to evaluate the possibility of discontinuation of dutasteride after combination therapy with an alpha blocker for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively treated BPH patients with an alpha blocker and dutasteride (0.5 mg/d). Patients who had been treated with alpha blockers against BPH for more than 2 months were eligible, and 20 patients were included in the study. After 6 months of combination therapy, dutasteride was discontinued. Patients were followed for 12 months after cessation. Prostate volume, intraprostatic architecture determined by transrectal ultrasound, peak urinary flow rate, postvoid residual urine volume, and the serum prostate-specific antigen level were evaluated every 6 months, and the International Prostate Symptom Score and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) every 3 months. Patients were allowed to restart dutasteride during the follow-up period according to their desire. RESULTS: Twelve patients (12/20, 60%) restarted the combination therapy from 6 to 12 months into the follow-up period. For patients who restarted dutasteride, the prostate volume and OABSS had increased and worsened after discontinuation, respectively. A visible transition zone with a clear border on transrectal ultrasound at baseline and regrowth of the prostate after discontinuation of dutasteride were risk factors for restarting the therapy (Mann-Whitney U test: p=0.008, p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic enlargement after discontinuation of dutasteride differs among patients. Rapid regrowth of the prostate leads to deterioration of storage symptoms and a tendency to restart dutasteride. Baseline intraprostatic architecture may be a predictive factor for whether the patient is a good candidate for discontinuation.
5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors/administration & dosage/adverse effects ; *Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists/administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Aged ; Drug Monitoring ; Drug Therapy, Combination/methods ; *Dutasteride/administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Japan ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organ Size ; Prospective Studies ; *Prostate/drug effects/pathology/ultrasonography ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/analysis ; *Prostatic Hyperplasia/drug therapy/pathology ; Secondary Prevention/methods/statistics & numerical data ; Treatment Outcome ; Withholding Treatment