scholarly journals PANCYTOPENIA SECONDARY TO AUTOIMMUNE VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY IN GRAVES DISEASE

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. e282-e285
Author(s):  
Vilmarie Rodriguez ◽  
Kristen M. Gonzales ◽  
Anoop Mohamed Iqbal ◽  
Natasha Arbelo-Ramos ◽  
Kirk D. Wyatt ◽  
...  

Objective: To describe a case of Graves disease (GD) and coexistent pancytopenia associated with autoimmune vitamin B12 deficiency. While thyrotoxicosis and antithyroid drugs can cause pancytopenia, other autoimmune conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiency can occur, leading to severe anemia and pancytopenia. Methods: A 19-year-old female with GD treated with methimazole presented with thyrotoxicosis and evidence of pancytopenia. Diagnostic studies included a complete blood cell count, peripheral blood smears, thyroid function tests, and a bone marrow biopsy. Results: White blood cells were 2.4 × 109 cells/L (reference range [RR] is 3.4 to 9.6 × 109 cells/L), hemoglobin was 7.9 g/dL (RR is 11.6 to 15.0 g/dL), neutrophil count was 1.2 × 109 cells/L, and platelets were 84 × 109 cells/L (RR is 157 to 371 × 109 cells/L). Thyroid-stimulating hormone was <0.01 mIU/L (RR is 0.50 to 4.30 mIU/L), free thyroxine was 3.7 ng/dL (RR is 1.0 to 1.6 ng/dL), and total triiodothyronine was 221 ng/dL (RR is 91 to 218 ng/dL). Due to suspicion for drug-induced pancytopenia, methimazole was discontinued. Three days later, she was hospitalized for a syncopal episode with a further decline in hemoglobin to 6.7 g/dL, neutrophils to 0.68 × 109 cells/L, and platelets to 69 × 109 cells/L. Bone marrow biopsy findings showing marrow hypercellularity and hypersegmented neutrophils suggested vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 was <70 ng/L (RR is 180 to 914 ng/L). Intramuscular vitamin B12 injections were initiated, and pancytopenia resolved within 1 month. Conclusion: Although rarely described in the literature, autoimmune vitamin B12 deficiency can be missed as an underlying etiology for pancytopenia in patients with GD. The clinical picture can be further confounded when these patients are treated with antithyroid drugs known to cause bone marrow suppression.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Aurelian Tiucă ◽  
Alina Mioara Boeriu ◽  
Rareș Adrian Georgescu ◽  
Ionela Maria Pașcanu

AbstractIntroduction: Graves’ disease (GD), an autoimmune disorder caused by high levels of auto-antibodies against the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor, is considered the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis, characterized by features such as goiter, ophthalmopathy and dermopathy. In our country, the administration of antithyroid drugs (ATD) is the first line of treatment in this disease. Side effects are rare but some of them, such as agranulocytosis or liver damage, may become serious.Case presentation: We report the case of a 20-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with GD after being previously diagnosed with viral hepatitis A. Treatment was initiated with methimazole 30 mg/day, and three weeks later she developed intense hepatic cytolysis and cholestatic syndrome, therefore the ATD was stopped. A suspicion of autoimmune liver disease was raised, and a liver biopsy was performed in order to establish the diagnosis. The next therapeutic option for hyperthyroidism was radioactive iodine (RAI). Three months following RAI, the patient presented severe hypothyroidism, thereupon treatment with levothyroxine was initiated.Conclusions: Although severe acute liver injury is rare, mild liver dysfunction is quite common in patients with GD. The overproduction of thyroid hormones, or the treatment with ATD through immune mediated processes or drug reactions, represent possible mechanisms responsible for liver damage.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-59
Author(s):  
Pavithra D ◽  
Praveen D ◽  
Vijey Aanandhi M

Agranulocytosis is also known to be granulopenia, causing neutropenia in circulating blood streams .The destruction of white blood cells takes place which leads to increase in the infection rate in an individual where immune system of the individual is suppressed. The symptoms includes fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers. These are commonly seen as adverse effects of a particular drug and are prescribed for the common diagnostic test for regular monitoring of complete blood count in an admitted patient. Drug-induced agranulocytosis remains a serious adverse event due to occurrence of severe sepsis with deep infection leading to pneumonia, septicaemia, and septic shock in two/third of the patient. Antibiotics seem to be the major causative weapon for this disorder. Certain drugs mainly anti-thyroid drugs, ticlopidine hydrochloride, spironolactone, clozapine, antileptic drugs (clozapine), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, dipyrone are the potential causes. Bone marrow insufficiency followed by destruction or limited proliferative bone marrow destruction takes place. Chemotherapy is rarely seen as a causative agent for this disorder. Genetic manipulation may also include as one of the reason. Agranulocytosis can be recovered within two weeks but the mortality and morbidity rate during the acute phase seems to be high, appropriate adjuvant treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics are prerequisites for the management of complicated neutropenia. Drugs that are treated for this are expected to change as a resistant drug to the patient. The pathogenesis of agranulocytosis is not yet known. A comprehensive literature search has been carried out in PubMed, Google Scholar and articles pertaining to drug-induced agranulocytosis were selected for review.


Author(s):  
Iskender Ekinci ◽  
Hande Peynirci

Background: There are limited data about the factors affecting the response time to medical treatment in Graves’ disease (GD) although many studies examined the predictors of the relapse after drug withdrawal. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the time for becoming euthyroid under antithyroid drug (ATD) therapy and the parameters influencing this period in patients diagnosed as GD.Methods: Patients with newly-diagnosed GD and decided to treat with ATD initially between March 2017 and September 2018 were retrieved retrospectively. Sociodemographic features as well as laboratory parameters like thyroid function tests and thyroid-stimulating hormone-receptor antibody (TRab) at the time of diagnosis were recorded.Results: Out of 41 patients, 63.4% (n=26) were female. The mean age was 36.1±11.7 years and 43.9% (n=18) of them were smoking. The time between the initiation of treatment and the duration of becoming euthyroid was 2.4±1.8 months. No significant difference was noted between age, gender, and smoking status and the time to become euthyroid under ATD treatment. This period was significantly positively correlated with levels of free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and negatively correlated with thyroid-stimulating hormone. Response to ATD therapy was higher in patients with pre-treatment TRab levels <10 IU/l than TRab ≥10 IU/l (p=0.011).Conclusions: Pretreatment thyroid function tests and TRab levels may be taken into consideration before deciding treatment in patients with newly diagnosed GD. It would be useful to design more comprehensive studies so that this proposal can find a response in clinical practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117955141984452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Smithson ◽  
Ammar Asban ◽  
Jason Miller ◽  
Herbert Chen

Hyperthyroidism is a clinical state that results from abnormally elevated thyroid hormones. Thyroid gland affects many organ systems; therefore, patients usually present with multiple clinical manifestations that involve many organ systems such as the nervous, cardiovascular, muscular, and endocrine system as well as skin manifestations. Hyperthyroidism is most commonly caused by Graves disease, which is caused by autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TRAb). Other causes of hyperthyroidism include toxic multinodular goiter, toxic single adenoma, and thyroiditis. Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism can be established by measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which will be suppressed with either elevated free T4 and/or T3 (overt hyperthyroidism) or normal free T3 and T4 (subclinical hyperthyroidism). Hyperthyroidism can be treated with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine (RAI), or thyroidectomy. ATDs have a higher replacement rate when compared with RAI or thyroidectomy. Recent evidence has shown that thyroidectomy is a very effective, safe treatment modality for hyperthyroidism and can be performed as an outpatient procedure. This review article provides some of the most recent evidence on diagnosing and treating patients with hyperthyroidism.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 5301-5301
Author(s):  
Iolanda Donatella Vincelli ◽  
Patrizia Cufari ◽  
Said al Sayyad ◽  
Carmelo Tuscano ◽  
Natale Porta ◽  
...  

Abstract Metastatic disease of the bone is a rare complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), it may be result from richter's transformation or metastatic from non lymphoid malignancies. CLL is the most common form of adult leukemia, with the median age of 70 years at diagnosis [Siegel et al. 2013]. The diagnosis is established by blood counts, blood smears, and immunophenotyping of circulating B-lymphocytes.The result is the increased number of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, leukocytosis with absolute lymphocytosis, the increase of the lymphnodes, the increase in size of the spleen. The diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia B requires the presence of Clonal B cells in the peripheral blood at or above 5,000 / ul for at least 3 months. Typing immunophenotypical pathological lymphocytes are positive for surface antigens CD5, CD19, CD23, weakly positive for CD20 and CD22, generally negative FMC7 and CD79b; also expressing surface immunoglobulins. The Rai and Binet staging systems, which are established by physical examination and blood counts, have been recognized as standards for deciding whether to begin treatment. Patients with active or symptomatic disease or with advanced Binet or Rai stages require therapy. For fit patients, chemoimmunotherapy with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab represents the current standard therapy. For unfit patients, treatment with an anti-CD20 antibody (obinutuzumab, rituximab, ofatumumab) plus a milder chemotherapy (Chlorambucil) may be applied. At relapse, if the treatment-free interval exceeds two to three years, the initial treatment may be repeated, if the disease relapses earlier, drugs such as bendamustine (plus rituximab), alemtuzumab, lenalidomide, ofatumumab, ibrutinib, or idelalisib, must be choosen. Patients with a del(17p) or TP53 mutation can be treated with ibrutinib or a combination of idelalisib and rituximab. in relapsing patients with TP53 mutations or del(17p) or patients that are refractory to repeated chemoimmunotherapies, an allogeneic SCT may be considered [Hallek M 2015]. In this article we show a case of a 66-year-old man with CLL and a bone localization. In 2011 diagnosis of CLL, Rai Stage 0, Binet Stage A. Principal characteristics at diagnosis: HB 13.2 g /dl, White Blood Cells 15.800 / mm3, lymphocytes 61%, neutrophils 32%, monocytes 4%, platelets 141.000/mm3; normal hepatic end renal function; flowcytometric immunophenotyping of the peripheral blood revealed B-cell CLL; prognostic factors: CD38 negative, ZAP70 positive, rearrangement of the immunoglobulins mutated; FISH: negative; CT chest / abdomen / pelvis: presence of multiple aorto-pulmonary and axillary adenopathies (max diameter of 2 centimeters); bone marrow biopsy: infiltration of CLL equal to 60% of global cellularity. The patient was only observed until January 2015, when he was hospitalized due to acute anemia, requiring supportive therapy, and right foot pain . So it was decided to re-evaluate the whole disease in order to decide whether to start chemotherapy. The disease was staged again with instrumental and laboratory tests: presence of renal insufficiency, egd and colonoscopy negative, Coombs' test negative, bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic with bone marrow infiltration of 90%, abdomen ultrasound showed only moderate splenomegaly. On February, persistence of right foot pain and appearance of swelling, assessed by the orthopedic as a suspected algic and dystrophic syndrome. So he suggested to perform scintigraphy which revealed: pronounced inflammatory osteometabolic reaction of the right tibia/fibula/ankle third distal which could be referred, in the first evaluation, to algic and dystrophic syndrome. However, a local biopsy was performed: localization of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. On March 2015 a total body TC showed 2 nodular calcifications in the right lung lobe, multiple right paratracheal, barety space, aortopulmonary and axillary adenopathies. Prostate size increased. In order to study carefully the liver and prostate lesions, an ultrasound abdomen was performed that documented only enlarged spleen, normal size liver, free of focal disease, increased prostate due to symmetric bilobate hypertrophy . After the second cycle of chemotherapy, prolonged thrombocytopenia, so he continues only with a radiotherapy program. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A908-A909
Author(s):  
Ally Wen Wang ◽  
Geeti Mahajan ◽  
Aaron Etra ◽  
Shira R Saul

Abstract Introduction: Graves’ disease has been associated with cytopenias, most commonly anemia. Pancytopenia is a rare complication and is not often encountered. Case Presentation: A 54-year-old woman with history of multiple sclerosis on alemtuzumab was referred for abnormal thyroid function tests. At the initial visit, the patient reported a 20-pound unintentional weight loss, tremors, sweating and heat intolerance. She was 3 years post-menopausal and had no history of recent viral illness, contrast exposure or family history of thyroid disease. Physical exam revealed an anxious appearing woman with fine tremors in both hands, hyperreflexia but no lid lag or exophthalmos. Labs included TSH &lt;0.005 uIU/mL (0.400-4.2), free T4 2.89 ng/dL (0.80-1.50), TSH receptor binding antibody 8.24 IU/L (&lt; 2.00), TSI 7.27 IU/L (&lt;0.56), WBC 2900/uL (4500-11000), ANC 1746/uL (1900 - 8000), hemoglobin 11.4 g/dL (11.7-15.0) and platelet 207,000/uL (150,000-450,000). Thyroid ultrasound noted sub-centimeter hypoechoic/cystic nodules and 24-hour thyroid uptake showed 56.4% symmetric uptake (upper limit of normal 30%). Due to leukopenia, the patient was started on propranolol and underwent radioiodine ablation with 14.8 mCI. Two weeks later, she reported easily bruising and gum bleeding and her blood work was significant for pancytopenia. The patient was referred to hematology and two bone marrow samples were obtained. Though MDS/MPN was initially suspected based on atypia in both specimens, there were no immunophenotypic, cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities suggesting a neoplastic process. Instead the patient was thought to have autoimmune pancytopenia secondary to Graves’ and the atypia was believed to be secondary to peripheral consumption. She was started on prednisone 1 mg/kg/day with resolution of her cytopenias. Discussion: Graves’ disease has been associated with hematological abnormalities including isolated anemia (the most common), thrombocytopenia or leukopenia. Pancytopenia is an uncommon complication and is rarely described in the literature. The exact mechanism remains unclear, but may be related to either reduced production of hematopoietic cells from the bone marrow or increased destruction of mature hematopoietic cells due to autoantibodies. Since thyroid hormones are known to increase erythropoietin, this leads to an exaggerated consumption of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 and can cause various forms of anemias. Leukopenia may be secondary to immunologic destruction whereas thrombocytopenia may be due to antiplatelet antibodies or increased splenic sequestration. Pancytopenia is rare. Our patient was treated with high dose prednisone with resolution of her pancytopenia, which suggests an autoimmune process as the mechanism. Our case showcases a rare complication of Graves’ disease and highlights that high dose steroid therapy may improve cytopenias associated with this condition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 566
Author(s):  
Janak G. Chokshi ◽  
Bhargavkumar I. Patel ◽  
Ishvarlal M. Parmar ◽  
Dipen R. Damor

Background: Pancytopenia is reduction of all the three cellular components which includes anemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Pancytopenia is striking feature of many serious and life threatening illness ranging from simple drug induced bone marrow hypoplasia, megaloblastic marrow to fatal bone marrow aplasia and leukemias. Pancytopenia has variety of etiologies but most common and reversible is Vitamin B12 deficiency, so early and accurate diagnosis may be lifesaving.Methods: Study conducted prospectively in 50 patients of pancytopenia with age >12 years, who were admitted to department of medicine in Dr. M.K. Shah Medical College between 2018 to 2020. A complete clinical history and examination was carried out. They were evaluated for complete blood count with peripheral smear, liver function test, renal function test, vitamin B12 level, radiological imaging and bone marrow examination in selected patients.Results: The etiological causes of pancytopenia were recorded as vitamin B12 deficiency (n 30,60%), Infections (n11,22%),Hypersplenism (n 4;8%), aplastic anemia (n 3; 6%), Drug induced (n 1; 2%) and SLE (n1; 2%). Presenting symptoms in these patients were lethargy, malaise, generalized weakness, dyspnoea on exertion and fever while signs were pallor, splenomegaly and hyperpigmentation. All patients of megaloblastic anemia had macrocytic picture in peripheral smear and all of them were improved after treatment with vitamin B12 supplement.Conclusions: Pancytopenia is not an uncommon clinical entity and has various etiologies. Most common cause of pancytopenia was B12 deficiency and most common symptoms and signs were generalized weakness and pallor respectively. Most of the etiological causes could be diagnosed with laboratory analysis and radiological imaging without the need of a bone marrow examination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fereidoun Azizi ◽  
Atieh Amouzegar

Abstract Background: Diffuse toxic goiter accounts for about 15% of all childhood thyroid diseases. There is great controversy over the management of Graves’ disease in children and adolescents. This article reports our experience in 304 children and juvenile patients with Graves’ disease. Methods: Between 1981 and 2015, 304 patients aged 5–19 years with diffuse toxic goiter were studied, of whom 296 patients were treated with antithyroid drugs (ATD) for 18 months. Patients with persistent or relapsed hyperthyroidism who refused ablative therapy with surgery or radioiodine were managed with continuous methimazole (MMI) treatment. Results: In 304 patients (245 females and 59 males), the mean age was 15.6±2.6 years. After 18 months of ATD therapy, 37 remained in remission and of the 128 who relapsed, two, 29 and 97 patients chose surgery, continuous ATD and radioiodine therapy, respectively. Of the 136 patients who received radioiodine, 66.2% became hypothyroid. Twenty-nine patients received continuous ATD therapy for 5.7±2.4 years. The mean MMI dose was 4.6±12 mg daily, no serious complications occurred and all of them remained euthyroid during the follow-up. Less abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values were observed in these patients, as compared to patients who were on a maintenance dose of levothyroxine after radioiodine induced hypothyroidism. Conclusions: Original treatment with ATD and subsequent radioiodine therapy remain the mainstay of treatment for juvenile hyperthyroidism. Continuous ATD administration may be considered as another treatment modality for hyperthyroidism.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
MosabNouraldein Mohammed Hamad

Agranulocytosis is an infrequent and serious side effect of antithyroid drugs characterized by a noticeable reduction in granulocyte and neutrophil count, it usually occurs within the first 2-3 months of treatment. There is a variety of mechanisms by which ATD can induce agranulocytosis, direct drug effects, and immunological mechanisms. We present 33 years old female attended Atbara teaching hospital who has developed agranulocytosis 2 weeks after starting ATD to treat relapsed Graves' disease. What was unusual about this patient is that symptoms have occurred in a period less than 15 days of starting treatment and with a dose of 45 mg /day. The physician must educate the patient about the possibility of early onset of serious side effects of ATD and to seek medical advice as soon as possible.


Author(s):  
Aiswarya Mohan ◽  
Aravind H ◽  
Chakravarthy S Maddipati ◽  
Roshni P R

Antithyroid drugs (ATD’s) are widely used as the first line treatment option for the management of hyperthyroidism, especially for patients with Graves’ disease. They are classified into thionamide (Methimazole, Carbimazole and Propylthiouracil) and Non-thionamide (Iodine containing compounds) ATD’s. These drugs are associated with various types of adverse effects ranging from mild to potentially life threatening. Antithyroid arthritis syndome (AAS) is one of the major and uncommon side effects of ATD therapy requiring immediate drug discontinuation and hospitalization presents itself with myalgia, arthralgia and arthritis along with fever and rash of varying severity and non-specific laboratory findings, making its diagnosis and management clinically challenging. Here we report the case of 32 year old female with Graves’ disease who experienced severe migratory polyarthritis after the initiation of methimazole therapy. Her symptoms started to disappear after the prompt withdrawal of methimazole. We also concluded that this adverse effect of ATD’s might not be dose dependent by comparing our case with 6 other case reports of AAS. Here our objective is to raise awareness among the clinicians regarding the differential diagnosis and management of this major, uncommon and potentially life threatening adverse effect of ATD therapy.


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