THYROID CRISIS SUBSEQUENT TO WITHDRAWAL OF PROPYLTHIOURACIL

Abstract

Reports of thyroid crisis are frequent. Reports of such crisis following withdrawal of thyroid blocking drugs have, however, not been found in the literature. A case of severe hyperthyroidism occurring in a 24 yr. old white female is reported. She refused surgery and was treated with propylthiouracil, 500 mg. daily. This controlled her disease, and the patient discontinued medical observation and voluntarily the drug after 16 mos. Six mos. later a toxic thyroid state recurred that rapidly culminated in thyroid crisis and death in 10 days.