ICJIM

The Intercontinental Journal of Internal Medicine aims to publish issues related to all fields of internal medicine of the highest scientific and clinical value at an international level and accepts articles on these topics.

EndNote Style
Index
Case Report
From hypothyroidism to Graves’ disease during pregnancy: a case of thyrotoxicosis following long-term hypothyroidism
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune thyroid disorder characterized by hyperthyroidism, diffuse goiter, and orbitopathy, and it rarely occurs during pregnancy. A 23-year-old woman presented to the emergency department at 20 weeks of her second pregnancy with complaints of palpitations, sweating, and fatigue. She had previously been diagnosed with hypothyroidism by her family physician and had been on levothyroxine therapy. She had also been followed with hypothyroidism during her first pregnancy. Evaluation revealed findings consistent with thyrotoxicosis and positive thyroid autoantibodies, leading to a diagnosis of Graves’ disease. Propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy was initiated, and thyroid function was closely monitored throughout pregnancy. Both maternal and fetal outcomes were uneventful, and delivery occurred without complications. The development of Graves’ disease during pregnancy in a patient previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism is exceedingly rare. This case highlights the clinical importance of the transition from hypothyroidism to Graves’ hyperthyroidism during pregnancy.


1. Brent GA. Environmental exposures and autoimmune thyroid disease. Thyroid. 2010;20(7):755-761. doi:10.1089/thy.2010.1644
2. Türkiye Endokrinoloji ve Metabolizma Derneği. Tiroid Hastalıkları Tanı ve Tedavi Kılavuzu 2023. Published 2023. Accessed October 2025. Available from: https://file.temd.org.tr/Uploads/publications/guides/documents/202305120904-2023tbl_kilavuz.pdf
3. Stagnaro-Green A, Abalovich M, Alexander E, et al. Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the diagnosis and management of thyroid disease during pregnancy and postpartum. Thyroid. 2011;21(10): 1081-1125. doi:10.1089/thy.2011.0087
4. Takasu N, Matsushita M. Changes of TSH-stimulation blocking antibody (TSBAb) and thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) over 10 years in 34 TSBAb-positive patients with hypothyroidism and in 98 TSAb-positive Graves’ patients with hyperthyroidism: reevaluation of TSBAb and TSAb in TSH-receptor-antibody (TRAb)-positive patients. J Thyroid Res. 2012;2012:182176. doi:10.1155/2012/182176.
5. Momotani N, Noh J, Oyanagi H, Ishikawa N, Ito K. Antithyroid drug therapy for Graves’ disease during pregnancy: optimal regimen for fetal thyroid status. N Engl J Med. 1986;315(1):24-28. doi:10.1056/NEJM 198607033150104
6. Sheffield JS, Cunningham FG. Thyrotoxicosis and heart failure that complicate pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004;190(1):211-217. doi:10. 1016/S0002-9378(03)00944-X
7. Wong M, Inder WJ. Alternating hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in Graves’ disease. Clin Case Rep. 2018;6(9):1684-1688. doi:10.1002/ccr3. 1700
8. Ahmad E, Hafeez K, Arshad MF, Isuga J, Vrettos A. Hypothyroidism conversion to hyperthyroidism: it’s never too late. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep. 2018;2018:18-0047. doi:10.1530/EDM-18-0047
9. McDermott MT, Ridgway EC. Hyperthyroidism following hypothyroidism. Am J Med Sci. 1986;291(3):194-198. doi:10.1097/00000 441-198603000-00006
10. Furqan S, Haque NU, Islam N. Conversion of autoimmune hypothyroidism to hyperthyroidism. BMC Res Notes. 2014;7:489. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-489
11. Takasu N, Yamashiro K, Ochi Y, et al. TSBAb (TSH-stimulation blocking antibody) and TSAb (thyroid-stimulating antibody) in TSBAb-positive patients with hypothyroidism and Graves’ patients with hyperthyroidism. Horm Metab Res. 2001;33(4):232-237. doi:10. 1055/s-2001-14942
12. Aranyosi JK, Deli T, Erdei A, et al. Unusual onset of thyroid-associated orbitopathy during pregnancy: case report and review of literature. BMC Endocr Disord. 2020;20:183. doi:10.1186/s12902-020-00663-9
13. De Groot L, Abalovich M, Alexander EK, et al. Management of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97(8):2543-2565. doi:10.1210/jc.2011-2803
14. Van Dijke CP, Heydendael RJ, De Kleine MJ. Methimazole, carbimazole, and congenital skin defects. Ann Intern Med. 1987;106(1):60-61. doi:10. 7326/0003-4819-106-1-60 </ol> <p>
Volume 3, Issue 4, 2025
Page : 85-87
_Footer