Hashimoto thyroiditis after an initial graves disease: case report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hashimotos thyroiditis (TH) and Graves disease (GD) are common autoimmune thyroid disorders in medical practice; however, spontaneous transformation of GD into hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis is uncommon, especially in children. Thus, being a rare entity, the pathophysiology remains unknown. METHODS: Report a case of a GD quickly evolution into HT. CASE REPORT: An 11-year-old girl presented with inicial symptoms of GD, evolueting into TH within a few months after her initial diagnosis and treatment. The spectrum of clinical manifestations was evidenced, as well as laboratory tests. DISCUSSION: Graves disease and Hashimotos thyroiditis are opposite manifestations within the spectrum of autoimmune thyroid diseases, and migration from one pole to another may occur, but this manifestation has been rarely reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: In view of the possible conversion of a GD into a TH, monitoring of thyroid function and possible clinical manifestations in patients with GD even after initial remission with drug treatment should be considered.