[Refractory reversible anemia in a case of thyrotoxicosis]

The case is reported of a patient with "refractory" type anemia and acute thyrotoxicosis. There was no evidence of iron or vitamin deficiency, a fact which suggested that the anemia was probably secondary to the acute thyrotoxicosis since correction of the anemia occurred following successful antithyroid therapy with Lugol's solution (aqueous iodine solution) and propylthiouracil without specific hematological treatment. This unusual association of "refractory" type anemia and acute thyrotoxicosis is discussed in the light of data from experimental animal models and the very small number of other cases reported in the literature.