January - March 2012, Volume 8, Issue 1

Kaykhaei MA, Sandooghi M, Mohammadi Fatideh T

A Case of Subacute Thyroiditis in the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Acta Endo (Buc) 2012, 8 (1): 125-130
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2012.125

Background. Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy may adversely affect mother and fetus. A number of disorders\r\nhave been described as a cause of thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy. Subacute thyroiditis is a rare cause of thyrotoxicosis in pregnant women. Although self limited, due\r\nto both hyper- and subsequent hypothyroidism, this disorder may have deleterious effects in outcome of pregnancy.\r\nCase report. A 29 year old woman in the first trimester of pregnancy was referred due to palpitation, malaise and pain in thyroid region. Laboratory data revealed a suppress TSH, elevated Free T4 and high ESR. Pregnancy test was positive. Diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis was made by Doppler\r\nsonography of thyroid. A dramatic response to prednisolone was observed. Two months later because of hypothyroidism,\r\nlevothyroxine was started and continued throughout pregnancy. She delivered a healthy baby at term without complication.\r\nConclusions. Although subacute thyroiditis is rare during pregnancy, its possibility should be kept in mind in hyperor\r\nhypothyroid pregnant women.

Keywords: subacute thyroiditis, pregnancy, thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism

Correspondence: Mahmoud Ali Kaykhaei, MD, Department of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. Phone: +985413411296, Email: mazyar44@gmail.com