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Diagnosis and Treatment > Signs and Symptoms

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Hui Yi Ng Department of Clinical Medicine, Level 4, Macquarie University, 2 Technology Place, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia

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Divya Namboodiri Department of Clinical Medicine, Level 4, Macquarie University, 2 Technology Place, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia

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Diana Learoyd University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Northern Clinical School, Reserve Road St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia

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Andrew Davidson Department of Neurosurgery, Level 2, Macquarie University, 2 Technology Place Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia

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Bernard Champion Department of Clinical Medicine, Level 4, Macquarie University, 2 Technology Place, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia

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Veronica Preda Department of Clinical Medicine, Level 4, Macquarie University, 2 Technology Place, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia

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Summary

Co-secreting thyrotropin/growth hormone (GH) pituitary adenomas are rare; their clinical presentation and long-term management are challenging. There is also a paucity of long-term data. Due to the cell of origin, these can behave as aggressive tumours. We report a case of a pituitary plurihormonal pit-1-derived macroadenoma, with overt clinical hyperthyroidism and minimal GH excess symptoms. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathology showing elevated thyroid and GH axes with failure of physiological GH suppression, elevated pituitary glycoprotein hormone alpha subunit (αGSU) and macroadenoma on imaging. Pre-operatively the patient was rendered euthyroid with carbimazole and underwent successful transphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA) with surgical cure. Histopathology displayed an elevated Ki-67 of 5.2%, necessitating long-term follow-up.

Learning points:

  • Thyrotropinomas are rare and likely under-diagnosed due to under-recognition of secondary hyperthyroidism.

  • Thyrotropinomas and other plurihormonal pit-1-derived adenomas are more aggressive adenomas according to WHO guidelines.

  • Co-secretion occurs in 30% of thyrotropinomas, requiring diligent investigation and long-term follow-up of complications.

Taxonomy:
Clinical Overview, Gland/Organ, Pituitary, Topic, Pituitary, Hormone, GH, IGF1, Prolactin, Thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3), TSH, Condition/ Syndrome, Acromegaly, Goitre (multinodular), Hyperthyroidism, Hypogonadism, Pituitary adenoma, Plurihormonal pituitary adenoma, Thyrotrophic adenoma, Patient Demographics, Age, Adult, Gender, Male, Ethnicity, White, Country of Treatment, Australia, Diagnosis and Treatment, Signs and Symptoms, Anxiety, Dizziness, Goitre, Headache, Heat intolerance, Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism, Hypogonadism, Insomnia, Osteopenia, Palpitations, Tachycardia, Ventricular hypertrophy, Investigation, Angiography, Blood pressure, BMI, Bone mineral density, DEXA scan, Echocardiogram, FT3, FT4, GH, GH suppression, Haematoxylin and eosin staining, Heart rate, Histopathology, IGF1, Immunostaining, MRI, Pituitary function, Sex hormone binding globulin, SHBG, Thyroid function, Thyroid ultrasonography, TRH stimulation, Triiodothyronine (T3) suppression, TSH, Intervention, Resection of tumour, Transsphenoidal surgery, Medication, Aspirin, Beta-blockers, Carbimazole, Metoprolol, Statins, Related Disciplines, Surgery, Publication Details, Case Report Type, Unique/unexpected symptoms or presentations of a disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-19-0068
Volume/Issue:
Volume 2019: Issue 1
Open access
R D’Arcy Regional Centre for Endocrinology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK

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M McDonnell Regional Centre for Endocrinology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK

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K Spence Regional Centre for Endocrinology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK

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C H Courtney Regional Centre for Endocrinology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK

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Summary

A 42-year-old male presented with a one-week history of palpitations and sweating episodes. The only significant history was of longstanding idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Initial ECG demonstrated a sinus tachycardia. Thyroid function testing, undertaken as part of the diagnostic workup, revealed an un-measureable thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (T4). Upon questioning the patient reported classical thyrotoxic symptoms over the preceding weeks. Given the persistence of symptoms free tri-iodothyronine (T3) was measured and found to be markedly elevated at 48.9 pmol/L (normal range: 3.1–6.8 pmol/L). No goitre or nodular disease was palpable in the neck. Historically there had never been any amiodarone usage. Radionucleotide thyroid uptake imaging (123I) demonstrated significantly reduced tracer uptake in the thyroid. Upon further questioning the patient reported purchasing a weight loss product online from India which supposedly contained sibutramine. He provided one of the tablets and laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of T3 in the tablet. Full symptomatic resolution and normalised thyroid function ensued upon discontinuation of the supplement.

Learning points:

  • Free tri-iodothyronine (T3) measurement may be useful in the presence of symptoms suggestive of thyrotoxicosis with discordant thyroid function tests.

  • Thyroid uptake scanning can be a useful aid to differentiating exogenous hormone exposure from endogenous hyperthyroidism.

  • Ingestion of thyroid hormone may be inadvertent in cases of exogenous thyrotoxicosis.

  • Medicines and supplements sourced online for weight loss may contain thyroxine (T4) or T3 and should be considered as a cause of unexplained exogenous hyperthyroidism.

Taxonomy:
Clinical Overview, Gland/Organ, Thyroid, Topic, Thyroid, Hormone, Thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3), TSH, Condition/ Syndrome, Hyperthyroidism, Thyrotoxicosis, Patient Demographics, Age, Adult, Gender, Male, Ethnicity, White, Country of Treatment, United Kingdom, Diagnosis and Treatment, Signs and Symptoms, Heat intolerance, Hyperhidrosis, Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism, Insomnia, Ischaemia, Palpitations, Tachycardia, Thyrotoxicosis, Tremulousness, Ventricular hypertrophy, Weight loss, Investigation, Blood pressure, Electrocardiogram, FT3, FT4, Radionuclide imaging, Thyroid function, TSH, Medication, Beta-blockers, Related Disciplines, Cardiology, Publication Details, Case Report Type, Unique/unexpected symptoms or presentations of a disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/EDM-17-0087
Volume/Issue:
Volume 2017: Issue 1
Open access