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Misdiagnosed as Primary Hypothyroidism

Robert V. Farese, MD; Miguel E. Rodriguez, MD; Brendan C. O'Malley, MD; Elizabeth Jamieson, MD; Robert J. Pollet, MD

Arch Intern Med. 1979;139(1):99-100.

Abstract
A case of combined, selective, hypothalamic hypothyroidism and secondary adrenal insufficiency is described. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), before and after thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF) administration, were in the range generally considered to be indicative of primary, rather than secondary, hypothyroidism. Hence, the clinical usefulness of serum TSH levels to unequivocally provide an accurate distinction between primary and secondary hypothyroidism must be questioned. The paucity of clinical findings suggestive of adrenal insufficiency in this case is emphasized, and the usefulness of adrenal screening tests in hypothyroid subjects seems clear.

(Arch Intern Med 139:99-100, 1979)

Author Affiliations
From the Veterans Administration Hospital and the Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication July 27, 1978.

Reprint requests to the Department of Medicine, University of South Florida Medical Center, 12901 N 30th St, Tampa, FL 33612 (Dr Farese).

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