Hyperthyroid Graves' disease and primary hypothyroidism caused by TSH receptor antibodies in monozygotic twins: case reports

Endocr J. 1998 Feb;45(1):117-21. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.45.117.

Abstract

A 33-year-old woman with signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, including increased thyroid stimulating blocking antibody (TSBAb) activity, was referred for treatment by her local physician. Her monozygote twin was treated for hyperthyroid Graves' disease 10 years earlier. This case of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in identical twins suggests the involvement of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Diseases in Twins*
  • Female
  • Graves Disease / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Hypothyroidism / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating / blood
  • Receptors, Thyrotropin / blood
  • Receptors, Thyrotropin / immunology*
  • Twins, Monozygotic*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating
  • Receptors, Thyrotropin
  • thyrotropin-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin