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Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Substernal Thyroid Biopsy Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Published on: November 10, 2014
[Atypical presentations of primary hypothyroidism in primary care]
J M Rubio Ruiz1, M A Pérez Mena, F Cirujano Pita
1Centro de Salud La Chopera, Alcobendas, Madrid.
Objective:
To present three cases of primary Hypothyroidism with an atypical beginning.
Design:
Retrospective clinical observations. SITE. Health Centre (Primary Care).
Patients Or Others Participants:
Three women (aged 38, 43 and 51) who were studied in the consulting room: one who presented Macrocytosis and Hypercholesterolemia; the second, a bilateral palpebral oedema; and the third, dysfonia unaccompanied by any other symptom of Hypothyroidism.
Main Measurements And Results:
In the three cases, hypercholesterolemia was objectified, I4 diminished and TSH raised; in one of them T3 was normal, while it was low in the remainder.
Conclusions:
The alteracions observed are frequent in primary Hypothyroidism. But it is rare to find them on their own in the presentation of the clinical picture. Given this pathology's high prevalence, it is important to think of the pathology when presented with these atypical symptoms, and possibly to request the determination of TSH in isolation.
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