Increased levothyroxine requirement in a woman with previously well-controlled hypothyroidism and intestinal giardiasis

The most common cause of apparent inefficiency or resistance to oral therapy with levothyroxine for hypothyroidism is nonadhesion. However, in some subjects in whom the control of hypothyroidism is extremely difficult, levothyroxine bioavailability defects should be considered. We report here the ca...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arquivos brasileiros de endocrinologia e metabologia 2011-02, Vol.55 (1), p.81-84
Main Authors: Radaeli, Rafael de Figueiredo, Diehl, Leandro Arthur
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
Female
Giardiasis - complications
Humans
Hypothyroidism - drug therapy
Intestinal Absorption - drug effects
Malabsorption Syndromes - etiology
Medication Adherence
Middle Aged
Thyroxine - administration & dosage
Thyroxine - pharmacokinetics
Treatment Failure
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Summary:The most common cause of apparent inefficiency or resistance to oral therapy with levothyroxine for hypothyroidism is nonadhesion. However, in some subjects in whom the control of hypothyroidism is extremely difficult, levothyroxine bioavailability defects should be considered. We report here the case of a 57-year-old woman with hypothyroidism that was well-controlled for the previous 6 years but suddenly presented with poor hormonal control and abdominal symptoms, despite repeatedly reporting good compliance to therapy. Adequate control of thyroid function was only obtained after intestinal giardiasis was diagnosed and treated.
ISSN:0004-2730
1677-9487
1677-9487
0004-2730
DOI:10.1590/S0004-27302011000100012