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Interferon-alpha-induced transient severe hypothyroidism in a patient with Graves' disease
1*SEMPR, (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism) Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil,
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|June 18, 2003
Abstract:
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins with anti-viral activity and are widely used in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The use of IFNs has resulted in thyroid dysfunction in a variety of ways. We report a case of a woman with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease who developed significant hypothyroidism during treatment with IFN-alpha 2a for HCV infection. However, after discontinuation of IFN-alpha 2a, hyperthyroidism recurred. Potential mechanisms by which IFNs influence thyroid function are discussed.