Hypothyroidism Due to Thyroid-Hormone-Binding Antibodies

Abstract

Hypothyroidism may be due to disorders of the hypothalamus, of the pituitary and, most commonly, of the thyroid itself. A familial syndrome with a "peripheral resistance" to thyroid hormones has also been described.¹ In the hypothyroid patient described below normal thyroid tissue function was indicated by a normal biopsy and uptake of radioactive iodine. In this case, the hypothyroid state was probably due to the abnormal binding of tri-iodothyronine to circulating antibodies of high amount and affinity.Case ReportA 26-year-old woman was referred to the hospital by her physician, who, in November, 1975, found low values of serum thyroxine . . .