Abstract
Background: Impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone refers to any process that negatively affects its action, including defects in its transport, metabolism and action on the receptor. Resistance to thyroid hormone due to beta-receptor mutations (RTH-beta) is the most common form of this entity and is characterized by reduced response of peripheral tissues to the action of thyroid hormone. The genetic variability of cofactors involved in the action of thyroid hormone explains the heterogeneity of resistance among affected individuals. Generally, patients with this disorder, have increased levels of free T4 and free T3 in association with normal or high TSH. Clinical case: 11-year-old boy, with personal history of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A pediatric endocrinology consultation was requested to evaluate abnormalities in his thyroid function tests. A few months earlier, his father was referred to endocrinology consultation because of thyroid function tests abnormalities: TSH - 3.01 μIU / mL (N: 0.35 - 4.94); Free T4 1.7 ng / dL (N: 0.7-1.48); Free T3 4.77 pg / mL (N: 1.71-3.71). Initially, two diagnostic hypotheses were considered: central hyperthyroidism or impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone. The adult underwent pituitary magnetic resonance, which raised the hypothesis of a pituitary microadenoma, and TRH stimulation test, whose result was strongly suggestive of the second diagnostic possibility. A genetic study was requested and the presence of the c700 G> A variant (p. Ala 324 trh) in the THRB gene was identified, which confirmed the most likely hypothesis. At the time of the pediatric endocrinology consultation, the 11-year-old boy had the results of his lab tests: TSH - 6.67 μIU / mL (N: 0.35 - 5); T4L 2.27 ng / dL (N: 0.88-1.58); T3L 7.79 pg / mL (N: 2-4.20). Given his perfect height and weight evolution and the absence of symptoms suggestive of hypo or hyperthyroidism, it was decided not to start any medication, keeping only periodic surveillance. Conclusion: This case exemplifies unusual thyroid function tests. This discordance between serum thyroid hormone and TSH concentrations should raise the possibility of impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone. In this condition, patients may present with symptoms of hypo or hyperthyroidism and the etiology of thyroid function tests abnormalities are not easily recognized. This can lead to misdiagnosis and consequently unnecessary treatment.