Subacute thyroiditis during interferon-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C

J Endocrinol Invest. 1997 Jan;20(1):24-8. doi: 10.1007/BF03347968.

Abstract

A 34-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C received interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy. Her thyroid function was normal and thyroid autoantibodies were negative before treatment. Four months after the beginning of the therapy she presented a clinical course of thyroiditis with a transient thyrotoxicosis. The diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis was confirmed by laboratory, ultrasonography, radioiodine scanning and fine needle aspiration findings. Thyroid autoantibodies were persisting negative. She suspended IFN-alpha therapy and she started non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and beta-blockers. Latent hypothyroidism subsequently developed, but L-thyroxine therapy resulted in a rapid normalization of thyroid function tests.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy
  • Hypothyroidism / etiology
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Thyroiditis, Subacute / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroiditis, Subacute / etiology*
  • Thyroiditis, Subacute / pathology
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Interferon-alpha
  • Thyroxine