Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: We present a 5-year-old girl with thyroid hormone resistance, subsequently discovered to be heterozygous for TRβ mutation. This case highlights the necessity to investigate, in detail, all children with persistently high thyroxin with normal TSH levels in order to aid future management and the necessity to follow them up.

Case report: SD was born at term by normal delivery weighing 3.34 kg (50th centile). She was referred at 6 months of age for poor weight gain (2nd centile). Blood tests showed an elevated free T₄ (43.4) with normal TSH (3.10). Systemic examination was normal and remained so over the following months. Repeat thyroid function tests showed persistently elevated T₄ with normal TSH. At 2 ½ years old, genetic analysis revealed she is heterozygous for TRβ mutation (thyroid hormone receptive gene). Mum has no mutation detected and SDs father cannot be tested for unavoidable reason. Since then, she has had slow growth, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, vitamin D deficiency, and coeliac disease. Broader antibody testing has not revealed an underlying autoimmune aetiology to date. Recently, SD has been investigated for recurrent falls and abnormal gait. She has right sided hemi hypotrophy with drooped shoulder and pelvis, along with winged scapulae, flared ribs and prominent abdomen. Her gross motor skills are generally delayed.

Conclusion: Mutation of the beta thyroid hormone receptor is usually either autosomal dominantly inherited or is a de novo mutation, resulting in defective patterns of gene expression. This is a rare disorder, usually presenting with goitre. TRβ mutation should be considered in children with persistently elevated T₄ levels in conjunction with a normal TSH. The other immune conditions like ITP and changes in body habitus are new associations, cause of which is yet not identified.