Exacerbation of Autoimmune Thyroid Dysfunction after Unilateral Adrenalectomy in Patients with Cushing's Syndrome Due to an Adrenocortical Adenoma

Abstract

Little is known about the factors that cause exacerbations of autoimmune thyroid dysfunction. One possibility is an alteration in adrenocortical function, since glucocorticoids are known to alter both pituitary—thyroid and immunologic function. We encountered three patients in whom overt autoimmune thyroid disease developed after unilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome due to an adrenocortical adenoma. We compared the postoperative changes in thyroid function in these patients with those in 21 other patients with Cushing's syndrome who underwent the same treatment.