Addisonian Crisis Precipitated by Thyroxine Therapy: A Complication of Type 2 Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome

Leland Graves III, MD, Robert M. Klein, PHD, Anne D. Walling, MD

South Med J. 2003;96(8)

Abstract and Introduction

Hypothyroidism is a common condition. Rarely, it may occur in combination with autoimmune failure of other endocrine glands (autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type 2, previously known as Schmidt's syndrome). In such cases, restoring normal thyroid function may precipitate adrenal failure. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for this condition in patients with Addison's disease, those with a family history of autoimmune endocrine gland failure, patients with one autoimmune endocrine disease who develop nonspecific or serious illness, and patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus whose insulin requirements drop without obvious explanation.

Both autoimmune thyroid disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus are common conditions. Rarely, one or both of these conditions is the presenting feature of potentially fatal auto-immune failure of several endocrine organs known as auto-immune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type 2 (APS2). A high index of suspicion for adrenal failure should be maintained when patients with autoimmune thyroid disease or type 1 diabetes mellitus develop nonspecific but serious illness.

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Cite this: Addisonian Crisis Precipitated by Thyroxine Therapy: A Complication of Type 2 Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome - Medscape - Aug 01, 2003.

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