SEQUENTIAL PRESENTATION OF A CASE OF HYPERTHYROIDISM WITH AUTONOMOUSLY FUNCTIONING NODULES AND GRAVES-DISEASE IN THE PRESENCE OF IGG THYROID STIMULATORS

The rare occurrence of hyperthyroidism with an autonomously functioning nodule which following 131I therapy presented as toxic diffuse goitre (Graves'' disease) is described in a 60 year old male. This progression was characterised by the presence of varying concentrations of IgG thyroid stimulators, thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins and thyroid growth stimulating immunoglobulins, as measured by cytochemical bioassay. It is postulated that the presence of the nodule and its associated hypersecretion of thyroid hormones may have protected the gland from the effects of IgG stimulators by bringing about inhibitory short-loop feedback on normal thyroid cells. It is further suggested that following therapeutic ablation of the nodule, normal thyroid cells became sensitive to the thyroid stimulators with the evolution of typical features of toxic diffuse goitre.