Graves’ Disease following Interferon Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Abstract

We describe the first case of Graves’ disease occurring at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, in a patient who was under treatment with interferon alfa for HCV infection. INF-α is now being widely used to treat patients with a variety of disorders including infection with hepatitis C virus. Clinical thyroid disease, hypo and hyperthyroidism can occur in up to 15% of patients. We emphasize the need for thyroid function screening before and during therapy to identify patients early in the course of their disease.

Keywords

• interferon
• thyroid function test
• thyrotoxicosis
• antibodies, thyroid
• case report, oman.