SAT498 A Challenging Case of Hypothyroidism Requiring Frequent Primary Care Visits to Achieve Euthyroidism

Abstract

Abstract Disclosure: S. Kaul: None. A. Gupta: None. Introduction: We report a patient with persistent primary hypothyroidism despite multiple adjustments in thyroid medication. Clinical Case: A 67-year-old white man with multinodular goiter underwent total thyroidectomy in 2016 for abnormal thyroid nodule biopsy. Surgical pathology revealed papillary thyroid cancer with lymph node metastasis. He subsequently received radioactive iodine ablation treatment. His plasma thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was noted to be 0.275 uIU/mL (normal range 0.35-4.00 uIU/mL) in January 2017 on levothyroxine 224 micrograms daily. Subsequently, his plasma TSH level continued to remain elevated with variable levels despite multiple titrations of his levothyroxine dosage, counseling, and multiple follow-up visits. Plasma TSH level went up as high as 108.140 uIU/mL (normal range changed to 0.55-4.78 uIU/mL). In January 2022, plasma TSH level normalized to 3.125 uIU/mL with high plasma free thyroxine level of 2.45 ng/dL (normal range 0.89-1.76 ng/dL), but plasma TSH level increased again to 5.190 uIU/mL in April 2022. Home care nurse was involved in monitoring of the patient taking thyroid medication daily and correctly but was unsuccessful. The patient and his son reported taking thyroid medicine daily and correctly. There was no concern for malabsorption or interference with any of his medications. The patient was subsequently asked to come to primary care clinic every week for six weeks with all his medications. He was unable to come to endocrinology clinic due to travel time being more than one hour. His repeat plasma TSH normalized to 1.010 uIU/mL. The etiology of previously high plasma TSH level was suspected due to non-compliance with taking his thyroid medication. Non-compliance was discussed in detail with the patient and his son, including life-threatening consequences of hypothyroidism. The patient verbalized understanding and was willing to comply with the recommendations. The patient was then asked to stop coming weekly to primary care clinic. Repeat plasma TSH level in October 2022 was again noted to be high at 80.723 uIU/mL. He again claimed compliance, but weekly visits to primary care clinic were resumed. In December 2022, he was noted to have low plasma TSH level of 0.232 uIU/mL. Conclusion: Once weekly visits seem impractical but might be required in a certain group of patients with persistent abnormal thyroid hormone levels where no etiology can be found. Presentation Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023