Encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis) presenting as depression: a case report

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2011 Nov-Dec;33(6):641.e7-9. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.05.019. Epub 2011 Jul 16.

Abstract

Encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (EAATD) is a rare condition associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Graves' disease. It is often underdiagnosed because of the various clinical presentations and lack of widely accepted diagnostic criteria. We report a 46-year-old man who presented with an acute depressive episode and was proven to have encephalopathy associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The exclusive psychiatric manifestations of this case called our attention to the fact that an improved awareness of EAATD in patients with a history of thyroid disease can lead to a timely diagnosis and excellent disease prognosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Brain Diseases / drug therapy
  • Brain Diseases / physiopathology
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Encephalitis
  • Hashimoto Disease / diagnosis*
  • Hashimoto Disease / drug therapy
  • Hashimoto Disease / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Methylprednisolone

Supplementary concepts

  • Hashimoto's encephalitis