Indian Journal of Dermatology (Jan 2006)
The spectrum of thyroid autoimmunity
Abstract
A 45 year old male presented with dry skin, facial puffiness, weight gain, constipation and lethargy for five months. He had been diagnosed as thyrotoxicosis fifteen years back and improved after oral antithyroid drugs. General examination revealed bradycardia, obesity, hoarseness, proptosis and acropachy. Dermatological examination revealed pretibal as well as generalised myxoedema with cold, hyperpigmented and xerotic skin. Hair was thin, coarse and brittle and nails brittle. Face appeared puffy, expressionless and eyelids wrinkled and drooping. Palms, soles had a yellowish hue. The neck revealed a diffusely enlarged thyroid. Hormone profile revealed reduced T3, T4 and raised TSH. Thyroperoxidase antibody was positive. ECG showed low voltage sinus bradycardia. X-ray hands substantiated thyroid acropachy. Skin biopsy confirmed pretibial myxoedema. He was diagnosed as Graves disease with past hyperthyroidism and present hypothyroid state and managed with oral thyroxine with improvement. The pretibial myxoedema was successfully managed with intralesional and topical steroids.
