J Korean Soc Endocrinol.  2002 Apr;17(2):280-285.

A Case of Transient Granulocytopenia during Treatment of a Patient with Graves' Disease and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus - Differential Diagnosis from Agranulocytosis by a Single Injection of G-CSF

• Park JK
• Seong JH
• Lee J
• Chu SN
• Jeong H
• Kim YL
• Park SW
• Cho YW
• Lee SJ

Abstract

Granulocytopenia, which can be seen in patients with Graves' disease during treatment with antithyroid agents, could be a self resolving transient episode or can imply the beginning of life threatening agranulocytosis requiring a change in treatment modality. Transient granulocytopenia could be a manifestation of hyperthyroidism itself, or a mild side effect of antithyroid drugs. Aganulocytosis is a rare, but major complications of the termination drug, propylthiouracil (PTU), requiring prompt termination of the medication, and intensive care. Therefore, differentiation of agranulocytosis and transient granulocytopenia, is important, but is not practically easy. We introduce a case of transient granulocytopenia, which was detected in a patient with Graves'Disease, accompanied by underlying type 1 diabetes mellitus, during treatment with PTU. Diagnosis of transient granulocytopenia was made by a normal granulocyte count following a single injection of G-SCF, and the patient was treated with conservative therapy. This case confirms a diagnostic tool for differentiating transient granulocytopenia and PTU-induced agranulocytosis.

MeSH Terms

Agranulocytosis*
Antithyroid Agents
Beginning of Human Life
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1*
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential*
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor*
Granulocytes
Graves Disease*
Humans
Hyperthyroidism
Critical Care
Propylthiouracil
Antithyroid Agents
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
Propylthiouracil