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BMJ Case Reports 2011; doi:10.1136/bcr.04.2011.4163
  • Unusual association of diseases/symptoms

Paraneoplastic hyperthyroidism

  1. Christoph Schmid1
  1. 1Endocrinology Department, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  2. 2Oncology Department, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  1. Correspondence to Dr Sibylle Kohler, sibskohler{at}gmx.ch

Summary

The authors describe a 31-year-old male with a metastatic germ cell tumour and massively elevated human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) levels who presented with hyperthyroidism. As HCG is structurally closely related to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), it can activate the TSH receptor; grossly elevated levels may result in hyperthyroidism. After initiation of chemotherapy, HCG levels decreased and hyperthyroidism resolved.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests None.

  • Patient consent Obtained.

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