Development of hyperthyroidism in a patient with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Abstract

We present a 13-year-old boy who developed hyperthyroidism during the clinical course of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome treated with glucocorticoid. He had a second relapse of minimal change nephrotic syndrome, and complete remission of nephrotic syndrome was achieved immediately with oral glucocorticoid. However, when the steroid dosage was reduced, signs of hyperthyroidism such as systolic hypertension and tachycardia were observed. Laboratory findings revealed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) below 0.05 microU/ml, free tri-iodothyronine of 16.1 pg/ml, free thyroxine of 5.6 ng/dl, and anti-TSH receptor antibody of 90%. Thus, a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was made and treatment with thiamazol was started. Massive proteinuria may decrease the activity of hyperthyroidism due to urinary loss of thyroid hormones. A decrease in glucocorticoid dosage may also be involved in the development of hyperthyroidism due to a reduced immunosuppressive effect.

• Authors: Takuo Kubota, Haruhiko Hirai, Nobuhiko Shimizu, Atsushi Sawada, Hiroki Kondou, Shigeo Nakajima, Tokuzo Harada, Masaaki Shima
• Journal: Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany) (Pediatr Nephrol) Vol. 17 Issue 5 Pg. 367-9 (May 2002) ISSN: 0931-041X [Print] Germany
• PMID: 12042896 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Prednisolone

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hyperthyroidism (complications)
• Male
• Nephrosis, Lipoid (complications, drug therapy)
• Prednisolone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Recurrence
• Remission Induction