Thymic hyperplasia in Graves′ disease

• Main Authors: Narendra Kotwal, Yashpal Singh, Anil Menon, Vineet Behera
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Subjects: Antithyroid drugs; autoimmune condition; Graves′ disease; thymic hyperplasia
• Online Access: http://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2013;volume=17;issue=3;spage=521;epage=523;aulast=Kotwal

Graves′ disease is an autoimmune thyroid condition characterized by the production of autoantibodies against the thyrotropin receptor. It is known to be associated with autoimmune conditions such as myasthenia gravis, Addison′s disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and vitiligo. We present a case of rare autoimmune association of Graves′ disease with thymic hyperplasia which regressed after treatment with antithyroid drugs. Exact pathophysiology of thymic hyperplasia in Graves′ is not well understood; it is likely to be the result of rather than the cause of Graves′ disease.