Thyroiditis induced by interferon in dialysis

Abstract

We describe a dialysis patient who acquired acute Hepatitis C infection. Her primary renal disease was systemic lupus erythromatosis. She was having goitre but clinically euthyroid and her thyroid function test was normal. To avoid long term complications of Hepatitis C we elected to treat her with Interferon 3 million units subcutaneously 3 times a week. During treatment she developed some transient side effects initially which subsided but later she felt pressure symptoms around her neck. When we checked her TSH and thyroid antibodies these were elevated. Though this could be related to HCV, rarely, but we think the thyroid change is mostly related to Interferon. Some possible explanation of the effect of Interferon on thyroid have been reviewed and we think patients getting such drugs should be under close monitoring to avoid permanent thyroid dysfunction.