We describe a case of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis following heart valve replacement in a patient with a multinodular goitre. He responded to medical therapy with carbimazole and potassium perchlorate. Subsequent therapy with radio-iodine was followed 30 weeks later by the development of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. It is possible that amiodarone caused a low uptake of radio-iodine by the thyroid. It is not known whether this possible low dose exposure to ionising radiation played a part in the development of the anaplastic carcinoma.
MartinoESafranMAghini-LombardiFEnvironmental iodine intake and thyroid dysfunction during chronic amiodarone therapy. Annals of Internal Medicine1984; 101: 28–34.
2.
HainanK.Risks from radio-iodine treatment thyrotoxicosis. British Medical Journal, 1983; 287; 1821–1822.
3.
GammageMDFranklynJ.Amiodarone and the thyroid. British Journal of Clinical Practice, 1986; 40, Suppl 44; 67–70.
4.
MartinoEAghini-LombardiFMariottiSTreatment of amiodarone associated thyrotoxicosis by simultaneous administration of potassium perchlorate and methimazole. J Endocronol Invest, 1986; 9; 201–207.
5.
DobynsBMShelineGEWorkmanJBTompkinsEAMcConaheyWMBeckerDV. Malignant and benign neoplasms of the thyroid in patients treated for hyperthyroidism: A report of the co-operative thyrotoxicosis therapy follow-up study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1974; 38; 976–998.
6.
WilliamsED. Relation between I131 therapy for thyrotoxicosis and development of thyroid carcinoma. Lancet, 1986; ii; 456–457.
