Pulmonary hypertension: The thyroid connection

Pooja Prakash Prabhu, GD Ravindran, Jyothi Idiculla

Thyroid Research and Practice 2016 13(3):144-145

A 52-year-old female presented with exertional dyspnea and swelling of feet for 3 weeks. On examination, she was found to have tachycardia and hypertension, with a small goiter visible on her neck. All routine investigations were normal. Echocardiogram (ECHO) revealed moderate tricuspid regurgitation and severe pulmonary hypertension (PHTN). Pulmonary function tests were normal. There was no evidence of pulmonary embolism on computed tomography pulmonary angiogram. Immunology workup was negative. She was diagnosed to have hyperthyroidism, and a technetium-99 scan of the thyroid was suggestive of Graves' disease. She was treated with radio-iodine. And is euthyroid and asymptomatic. A repeat ECHO confirmed resolution of PHTN. This case is being reported to highlight the need to detect and treat hyperthyroidism, which can cause resolution of PHTN.

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