Pruritus as a symptom in hyperthyroidism.

Abstract

To the Editor:— Pruritus without objective evidence of skin disease is not commonly thought of as a feature of hyperthyroidism. Occasionally this may be the presenting manifestation in hyperthyroidism. My interest in this subject was aroused by the following case: Report of a Case:— A 43-year-old woman was seen in May 1962 in the Dermatology Clinic of the Johns Hopkins Hospital because of severe pruritus. In addition, in the preceding six months the patient had noted marked hair loss. The serum protein bound iodine (PBI) level was 10.7μg/100 cc. Because of the elevated value, she was referred to the Endocrine Clinic. In response to specific questioning, the patient gave a history of diminished heat tolerance during the preceding year and of poor appetite and a drop in weight from 170 to 159 lb in the preceding six months. The pertinent finding on physical examination was slight diffuse enlargement of the