Interferon alpha-induced non-immune thyrotoxicosis treated by plasmapheresis

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Sep 25:2017:bcr2017221228. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221228.

Abstract

Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is an effective drug used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. So far its numerous side effects have been reported in the literature. It may be difficult to always put IFN-induced thyroid diseases into a single classic thyroid disease table. There are numerous atypical thyroid diseases due to IFN usage for hepatitis C virus. Herein, we present a case with a rare clinical table such as thyrotoxicosis observed following IFN-α therapy in a patient with euthyroid nodular thyroid without autoimmune thyroiditis findings and the use of therapeutic apheresis method for the treatment of disease.

Keywords: hepatitis c; thyroid disease; unwanted effects / adverse reactions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Plasmapheresis*
  • Thyroid Function Tests
  • Thyroid Nodule / drug therapy*
  • Thyrotoxicosis / chemically induced*
  • Thyrotoxicosis / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interferon-alpha