Rare case of central congenital hypothyroidism due to a TSHβ mutation presenting with macro-orchidism
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025

An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Madhura Bharat Karguppikar1, Nadia Schoenmakers2, Vaman Khadilkar3,4
1Paediatric Endocrinology, Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract:
A male infant was brought to our paediatric endocrine unit with typical clinical features of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and striking macro-orchidism. On evaluation, free T3, free T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were found to be low, suggestive of congenital CH. Cortisol was within reference range and prolactin was mildly elevated. No suspicious lesions were encountered on neurosonography. On commencing treatment with thyroxine, clinical features of hypothyroidism showed dramatic improvement with regression of testicular enlargement. Genetic analysis revealed deletion of the TSHβ gene.Our case highlights a rare presentation of central CH with macro-orchidism in a genetically proven deletion of TSHβ gene. Macro-orchidism has been widely reported in IGSF-1 mutations leading to central CH; however, central CH and macro-orchidism have not been reported in association with TSHβ deletions.
Related Concept Videos
Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones
Upon reaching the thyroid gland, TSH stimulates the follicular cells' active uptake of iodide ions from the blood. The ions diffuse to the apical surface of the cells and are oxidized to iodine. The...
Sex-linked Disorders
Functions of Thyroid Hormones
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
Meiosis I
The Thyroid Gland
The follicles have a central cavity lined by simple cuboidal to squamous epithelial cells called follicular cells. These cells produce the glycoprotein...
Nondisjunction

