Journal of Korean Thyroid Association  2015;8(1):98-102

doi:10.11106/cet.2015.8.1.98

Radioactive Iodine-Induced Graves' Disease in a Patient with Toxic Adenoma.

Seokyoung YOON 1 ; Kichul SHIN ; Eirie CHO ; Min Joo KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Graves' disease; Radioisotopes; Thyroid nodule; Thyrotoxicosis

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

We report a rare case of radioactive iodine (RAI)-induced Graves' disease in a patient with toxic adenoma. A 42-year-old woman presented with neck masses. A hot nodule was detected on a thyroid scan, which suggested toxic adenoma. She was treated with RAI. Three months after the treatment, she complained of thyrotoxic symptoms such as weight loss, palpitation, diarrhea, and menstrual irregularity. A new thyroid scan showed diffuse increased uptake, while the toxic adenoma previously detected was now a cold nodule. Moreover, an increased level of antibodies against the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor was detected. These findings indicated Graves' disease. Hence she was treated with anti-thyroid drug. This case serves as a reminder for physicians to consider RAI-induced Graves' disease if thyrotoxicosis is noted after RAI treatment.