Korean J Med.  2015 Aug;89(2):225-228. 10.3904/kjm.2015.89.2.225.

A Case of Graves' Disease Occurring after Subacute Thyroiditis

• Seo HM
• Beom JW
• Kim SH
• You SY
• Kim JY
• Koh GP
• Lee SA

• KMID: 2269034
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2015.89.2.225

Abstract

Graves' disease following subacute thyroiditis is uncommon. Some patients in these cases showed positive for thyroid antibody only transiently in the resolving phase. However, Graves' disease can rarely be caused by the presence of antibodies after subacute thyroiditis, although the pathophysiology of this is unclear. A 40-year-old woman presented with anterior neck pain and swallowing difficulty. Thyroid function testing showed reduced thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and elevated free thyroxine levels. A thyroid scan revealed decreased uptake in the bilateral thyroid gland. The patient was initially diagnosed with subacute thyroiditis and treated with steroids. Five months later, thyroid function testing showed recurrent hyperthyroidism with positive conversion of TSH receptor antibody, indicating Graves' disease. Since then, she needed the long-term methimazole treatment. In summary, we herein report a case of Graves' disease occurring after subacute thyroiditis.

Keyword

Thyroiditis, Subacute; Graves disease; Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-stimulating

MeSH Terms

Adult
Antibodies
Deglutition
Female
Graves Disease*
Humans
Hyperthyroidism
Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating
Methimazole
Neck Pain
Receptors, Thyrotropin
Steroids
Thyroid Function Tests
Thyroid Gland
Thyroiditis, Subacute*
Thyrotropin
Thyroxine
Antibodies
Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating
Methimazole
Receptors, Thyrotropin
Steroids
Thyrotropin
Thyroxine