Hyperthyroidism after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

To investigate the clinical characteristics, etiology, therapy and outcome of hyperthyroidism after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The clinical data of 7 patients who experienced hyperthyroidism were retrospectively analyzed in our hospital. These 7 patients (5 males, 2 females) suffered hyperthyroidism after HSCT. All patients did not apply the pretreatment regimen containing total body irradiation (TBI). The median age was 25 years old, only one child. Six patients underwent haploidentical HSCT except one patient after unrelated HSCT. The median time of hyperthyroidism occurrence was 20 months. Two patients experienced chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD) when hyperthyroidism occurred and were treated successfully with glucocorticoid, however one patient suffered hypothyroidism 3 months later and needed long-term oral levothyroxine maintenance. One patient developed hypothyroidism post treatment of 131I. The other four patients were treated with methimazole and all of them showed normal thyroid function except one patient suffered from hypothyroidism 1 year later and needed long-term oral levothyroxine maintenance. Hyperthyroidism is a rare complication after HSCT but may affect healthy and lead to lower quality of life. Routine thyroid function monitoring should be recommended after HSCT. Treatment of hyperthyroidism should be given according to the pathogeny.