Severe Pericardial Effusion Due to Autoimmune Hypothyroidism With Levothyroxine Withdrawal and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Sylvernon Israel; Katherine Ann  Tan; Ma. Felisse Carmen Gomez; Florence Rochelle Gan; Jean Uy-Ho

doi:10.15605/jafes.037.02.13

Authors

Sylvernon Israel University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6454-0944
Katherine Ann Tan University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1618-7784
Ma. Felisse Carmen Gomez University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
Florence Rochelle Gan University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5256-8018
Jean Uy-Ho University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1369-1192

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15605/jafes.037.02.13

Keywords:

pericardial effusion, pericardial tamponade, autoimmune hypothyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus, case report

Abstract

The presence of autoantibodies is a common link between autoimmune hypothyroidism (AH) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The coexistence of AH (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) and SLE is common; however, massive pericardial effusion (PEEF) with signs of tamponade is extremely rare and only a few cases have been reported in literature. We present a case of a 54-year-old female who came in with progressive dyspnea who was found out to have massive PEEF from overt AH and concurrent SLE, which was successfully managed medically. This gave us valuable insight that massive pericardial effusion occurring in overt hypothyroidism may be secondarily caused by other co-existing disease entities such as SLE. The importance of the correct diagnosis cannot be overemphasized, as this largely contributed to the successful management of this case.

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Author Biographies

Sylvernon Israel, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines

Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine,

Katherine Ann Tan, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines

Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine

Ma. Felisse Carmen Gomez, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines

Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine

Florence Rochelle Gan, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines

Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine

Jean Uy-Ho, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines

Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine

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