Somatotropin adenoma and resistance to thyroid hormone

J Endocrinol Invest. 2009 Mar;32(3):284-6. doi: 10.1007/BF03346468.

Abstract

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is a rare disease characterized by non-suppressed TSH in spite of high free thyroid hormone levels. Up to date, in the literature, there are more than 600 RTH cases, but co-incidental hypophyseal adenoma was reported in only 1 case. In the literature, despite reported cases with thyrotropinoma accompanying RTH, we could not find a case with somatotropinoma accompanying RTH. Here, we report a 34-yr-old male patient, who was admitted to the hospital with complaints of dyspnea, chest pain, and palpitation in 2003. His alpha- subunit value was normal and the alpha-subunit/TSH molar ratio was <1. His response to TRH stimulation test was normal. His TSH level was suppressed in the T3 suppression test. Hypophyseal magnetic resonance imaging showed a 6-mm hypophyseal microadenoma. Levels of all anterior hypophyseal hormones, including GH and IGF-I, were normal. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)-GH suppression test was normal. The patient was followed with the diagnosis of RTH and incidental hypophyseal adenoma. After 3 yr, because of high levels of IGF-I: 901 ng/ml (68-324), the OGTT-GH suppression test was reported and no suppression was detected. Thus, the patient was referred to surgery with the pre-diagnosis of RTH and acromegaly. Immunohistochemistry was showed as strong GH staining with low Ki 67 index while TSH and other anterior hypophyseal hormones stainings were negative. Post-operative thyroid hormones were still high.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine
  • Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / complications*
  • Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings
  • Male
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Hormone Resistance Syndrome / complications*