Myxedema due to reversible thyroiditis induced by interferon-alpha 2a therapy for chronic hepatitis C

The prevalence of antithyroid antibodies is high in patients with chronic hepatitis C, and high serum titers of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus have been reported in patients with thyroid gland disease. Treatments with interferon or other cytokines can induce production of autoantibodies or, in a small number of cases, development of an autoimmune disease, A case of reversible thyroiditis revealed by myxedema at the fourth month of interferon 2alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C is reported. The patient had a negative history for thyroid disease. Serum titers of antithyroid antibodies rose prior to the development of myxedema, TSH levels and anti-thyroid antibody titers should be monitored in patients receiving interferon therapy. Determination of these markers prior to treatment initiation is useful for assessing the risk of treatment-induced thyroid disease.