Growth Hormone (GH) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Co-Secreting Pituitary Macroadenoma

Abstract

Background: TSH secreting pituitary adenomas are rare and accounts for 0.5-3% of all pituitary adenomas. Only 20-25% of those adenomas co-secrete other hormones like growth hormone or prolactin. Mixed GH and TSH secreting adenomas present with symptoms from tumor growth and features of both acromegaly and hyperthyroidism. Clinical Case: A 57 years old woman with a past medical history of chronic joint pains and bilateral knee swelling presented to her PCP with complaints of chronic fatigue. Evaluation revealed a normal TSH level and MNG and patient did not have any further work-up. She reported undergoing periodic knee arthrocentesis which gave her only temporary pain relief. Two years later, patient presented with complaints of unintentional weight loss, tremors and palpitations. She also reported enlargement in the size of hands, feet and forehead and no improvement in the knee swelling after multiple arthrocentesis. Lab evaluation revealed high free T4 2.31ng/dl (0.58-1.64), high free T3 6.44pg/ml (2.50-4.30), non-suppressed TSH 1.32mU/L (0.34-5.00), elevated IGF-1 415ng/ml (47-236), GH 7.76ng/ml (0.01-3.61) and prolactin 6.69ng/mL (2.74-26.72). Neck USG showed multiple nodules and 24hr radioactive iodine uptake scan showed increased uptake at 43%. 75gm OGTT showed non-suppression of GH level. MRI of brain showed 1.8 cm pituitary macroadenoma. Patient underwent transsphenoidal pituitary resection in January 2018 and the final pathology showed positive tumor staining for GH and TSH. Following surgery, patient reported improvement in symptoms. Lab work-up from October 2018 showed normal IGF 189 ng/ml (47-236), normal GH 0.35(0.01-3.61), Free T4 0.80(0.58-1.64), Free T3 2.41(2.50-4.30), TSH 0.06(0.34-5.00) and MRI from August 2020 showed no evidence of residual pituitary tumor. Conclusion: This is a rare case of a GH and TSH co-secreting pituitary macroadenoma. This case highlights the importance of considering acromegaly early in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with chronic musculoskeletal symptoms and to pursue work up for central hyperthyroidism in a hyperthyroid patient presenting with a non-suppressed TSH level.