Two Sisters with Graves' Disease and Similar Clinical Features who Tested Positive for Anti-insulin Antibodies after Thiamazole Treatment

Intern Med. 2016;55(9):1125-9. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.6024. Epub 2016 May 1.

Abstract

The older of a pair of sisters experienced hypoglycemia after the start of thiamazole (MMI) treatment. Based on a high insulin antibody level, she was diagnosed with insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS). HLA-DNA typing identified DRB1*04:06. Although a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed biphasic insulin secretion, the secretion pattern became monophasic after discontinuation of the MMI. The younger sister was diagnosed with IAS after the start of MMI treatment. HLA-DNA typing identified DRB1*04:06. The 75-g OGTT showed biphasic insulin secretion, but it became monophasic after discontinuation of the MMI. According to the similar insulin secretion kinetics in the two sisters with IAS, we suspect that a genetic predisposition may be associated with the features of anti-insulin antibodies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antithyroid Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antithyroid Agents / therapeutic use
  • Autoimmune Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Graves Disease / complications
  • Graves Disease / drug therapy*
  • Graves Disease / genetics
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hyperinsulinism / chemically induced
  • Hyperinsulinism / genetics
  • Hyperinsulinism / immunology
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin Antibodies / blood*
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Methimazole / adverse effects*
  • Methimazole / therapeutic use
  • Siblings

Substances

  • Antithyroid Agents
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • Insulin
  • Insulin Antibodies
  • Methimazole