Renal dysfunction caused by severe hypothyroidism diagnosed by renal biopsy: a case report

There is a close relationship between thyroid dysfunction and renal dysfunction. However, thyroid dysfunction can unfortunately result in inaccurate measurements of serum creatinine and cystatin C levels. The chronic decrease in cardiac output due to hypothyroidism can reduce renal plasma flow (RPF) resulting in renal dysfunction. We report the case of a 36-year-old male in whom renal dysfunction detected during a company health check-up was found to be caused by severe hypothyroidism. His serum creatinine levels showed poor results, but serum cystatin C levels were within the normal range. The physician thus prioritized serum cystatin C for assessing the patient's renal function, and concluded that his renal function was normal. He subsequently visited our hospital, aged 36 years, for a comprehensive examination. His serum creatinine level was 1.88 mg/dL and his serum cystatin C level was 0.75 mg/dL, indicating an unusual discrepancy between the two measurements. The patient also presented with fatigue, suggesting hypothyroidism, and we therefore evaluated his thyroid function. His free thyroxine level was below the sensitivity of the assay, while his thyroid-stimulating hormone level was > 100 mu IU/mL. A renal biopsy was performed to further explore the underlying cause of his renal dysfunction, which suggested that reduced RPF could be the leading cause of his renal ischemia, with no indications of chronic glomerulonephritis or other abnormalities. His hypothyroidism and renal function improved after thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Given the limited reports of renal biopsy tissue examination during the acute phase of hypothyroidism, the current case provides important information regarding the diagnosis of renal dysfunction in patients with hypothyroidism.