Hydatidiform Mole — A Cause of Clinical Hyperthyroidism

Abstract

Two patients with hydatidiform mole had severe hyperthyroidism, and pulmonary edema developed. The thyrotoxicosis improved rapidly after evacuation of the mole. A thyroid stimulator was extracted from the serum and tumor of one patient. This stimulator differed biologically and immunologically from the other three human thyroid stimulators: pituitary thyrotropin; the chorionic thyrotropin found in normal placentas; and the long acting thyroid stimulator of Graves's disease. Secretion of excessive amounts of this thyroid stimulator by the hydatidiform mole was probably responsible for the severe hyperthyroidism, and removal of the mole appears to be the most effective therapy for the hyperthyroidism.