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1: Korean J Intern Med. 2005 Dec;20(4):335-8.Click here to read Links

Management of a pregnant patient with Graves' disease complicated by propylthiouracil induced agranulocytosis.

Cho YY, Shon HS, Yoon HD.

Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Korea.

Relapse and exacerbation of Graves' disease during pregnancy is rare, and thionamide induced agranulocytosis is an uncommon side effect. We report a case of a pregnant woman in her 24th week of gestation that experienced a relapse of Graves' disease that was complicated by propylthiouracil induced agranulocytosis. Following the discontinuation of propylthiouracil and administration of a broad-spectrum of antibiotics, agranulocytosis subsided within 10 days. A total thyroidectomy to avoid any future relapse was planned and a short course of a beta-adrenergic blocker and Lugol solution were prescribed before the operation. At the 28th week of gestation, a total thyroidectomy was performed without complications and thyroxine replacement therapy was commenced. At the 40th week of gestation, labor was induced and a 3,370 g healthy male infant was born without clinical features of thyrotoxicosis. We report herein on the patient and the treatment options for this rare and complicated case.

PMID: 16491833 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Patient Drug Information

  • Levothyroxine (Levothroid® , Levoxyl® , Synthroid® , ...)

    Levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone, is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Without this hormone, the body cannot function properly, resulting in poor g...

  • Propylthiouracil

    Propylthiouracil is used to treat hyperthyroidism, a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. It also is taken before thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy.

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