Regression of both pituitary and ovarian cysts after administration of thyroid hormone in a case of primary hypothyroidism

Intern Med. 2001 Aug;40(8):751-5. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.40.751.

Abstract

We report a 19-year-old woman who was diagnosed as polycystic ovary. Hypothyroidism with a markedly elevated TSH level and an enlarged pituitary gland on MRI were noted. The 123I uptake was decreased to 6.5%. After treatment with thyroid hormone, regression of the enlarged pituitary and the ovarian cysts was observed. In the present case, hypothyroidism was considered to have caused a reversible enlargement of the pituitary gland and concomitant polycystic ovary. We concluded that the polycystic ovary might have resulted from the effects of an excessive amount of TSH on immature ovaries.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cysts / blood
  • Cysts / complications
  • Cysts / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / blood
  • Hypothyroidism / complications
  • Hypothyroidism / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Cysts / blood
  • Ovarian Cysts / complications
  • Ovarian Cysts / diagnosis*
  • Ovarian Cysts / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Diseases / blood
  • Pituitary Diseases / complications
  • Pituitary Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Thyroid Hormones / blood
  • Thyroid Hormones / therapeutic use*
  • Thyrotropin / blood
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Thyrotropin