Autoimmune hyperthyroidism in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-1b
S. R. Schwid, A. D. Goodman and D. H. Mattson
Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, NY, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To report symptomatic autoimmune hyperthyroidism developing in
patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with interferon beta-1b
(IFN-beta-1b). REPORT OF CASES: A 44-year-old woman experienced gradually
worsening fatigue, depression, and motor function several months after
beginning therapy with IFN-beta-1b for MS. Graves disease associated with
episodic palpitations, shortness of breath, hair loss, increased appetite,
weight loss, and insomnia was confirmed with endocrinologic studies.
Increased fatigue and weakness developed in a 52-year-old woman several
months after starting IFN-beta-1b therapy. She also noted sweats, heat
intolerance, palpitations, increased appetite, and irritability, and
endocrinologic evaluation supported a diagnosis of Graves disease.
CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of autoimmune
thyroid disease associated with IFN-beta-1b treatment in patients with MS.
Psoriasis has also been reported during interferon therapy for MS, and
similar phenomena occur during interferon therapy for hepatitis C. Since
some symptoms of thyroid dysfunction may be difficult to distinguish from
typical MS-related symptoms, thyroid hormone levels should be checked when
unexplained constitutional symptoms occur during IFN-beta-1b therapy.
