Hyperthyroidism Six Years Post-BMT for Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia in a Patient on Long-Term Lithium Therapy for Bipolar Affective Disorder

Abstract

Lithium is commonly used to treat bipolar affective disorder. It is well known to adversely affect thyroid function, most commonly causing hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a rare complication. Similarly, total body irradiation (TBI) associated with BMT is well known to affect thyroid function frequently causing hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism secondary to TBI is unusual. To have both a history of chronic lithium therapy and TBI with a BMT in patient presenting with hyperthyroidism is an extremely atypical situation. We describe a 39-year-old male who presented with primary hyperthyroidism after 18 years of lithium use for bipolar affective disorder and 6 years post-BMT for AML-M4.