Hyperthyroidism from thyroid metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma
M. Eriksson, S. K. Ajmani and L. E. Mallette
A nontender goiter rapidly developed in a 54-year-old patient with
suspected disseminated carcinoma. Thyroid function tests showed increased
thyroxine, triiodothyronine resin uptake, free thyroxine index, and free
thyroxine. Radioactive iodine uptake by the gland was near zero, and
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was undetectable. Histologic examination
of the thyroid before and after death showed invasion and disruption of the
thyroid follicles by adenocarcinoma (pancreatic primary). Release of
thyroglobulin by follicular disruption probably resulted in
hyperthyroxinemia and suppression of TSH and radioactive iodine uptake, as
occurs in subacute thyroiditis.
