6784 A Case of Euthyroid Hyperthyroxinemia due to Thyroid Binding Globulin Excess Syndrome

Abstract Disclosure: A.S. Iyer: None. Background: Congenital thyroid binding globulin (TBG) excess is a rare phenomenon associated with elevated serum total T3 and total T4 concentrations but normal serum concentrations of free thyroid hormones, with clinically euthyroid patients. While TBG excess can be caused by pregnancy, estrogen-secreting tumors, and estrogen therapy, congenital TBG excess follows an X-linked pattern, with hemizygous males most affected, and heterozygous females showing a spectrum of disease due to random inactivation of one X chromosome. Clinical Case: A 39-year-old Caucasian female presented as a referral from the Gastroenterology clinic due to concern for thyroid resistance syndrome. Symptoms included chronic constipation (improving with Miralax®), gradual weight gain of 8 pounds in one year, fatigue, and palpitations. She reported that her total thyroid hormone levels have always been elevated, with other thyroid labs remaining within normal limits, along with family history of similar labs noted in her two sons, father, and paternal grandmother. Upon initial encounter, TSH was 1.637 (0.430-3.550 uIU/mL), total T4 15.4 (4.8-11.7 ug/dL), total T3 231 (80-200 ng/dL), free T4 0.97 (0.70-1.25 ng/dL), free T3 3.2 (1.7-3.7 pg/mL), and albumin 4.2 (3.5-5.0 g/dL). The patient was not on oral contraceptive pills and she denied any pregnancies in the last three years. Thyroid ultrasound showed a normal-appearing homogeneous thyroid gland with a small cyst with colloid and no cervical lymphadenopathy. Initial differential diagnosis included TBG excess syndrome versus familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia. Permission was obtained from the patient to access one of her son’s medical records from age 8-weeks old when he was also evaluated for abnormal thyroid labs. TSH was 2.144 (0.350-6.500 uIU/mL), total T4 28.2 (5.0-12.0 ug/dL), free T4 1.55 (0.8-1.8 ng/dL), and free T3 4.0 pg/mL (no reference available). Thyroid binding globulin was found to be elevated at 81 (12-26 mcg/mL) in her son and found to be elevated to 78.0 (13.5-30.9 mcg/mL) in this patient, confirming a diagnosis of TBG excess syndrome. Conclusions: TBG excess syndrome should be considered in the differential of patients with high total T3 and total T4 levels with normal levels of free T3, free T4, and TSH, especially in individuals who have a known family history and who have minimal or nonspecific symptoms. Definitive diagnosis will make further testing and treatment unnecessary. However, if these patients develop hypo- or hyperthyroidism, then use of TSH and free levels of T4 and T3 is necessary to direct management and avoid confusion. Reference: Pappa, T., and S. Refetoff. “Thyroid hormone transport proteins: Thyroxine-binding globulin, transthyretin, and albumin.” Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-809324-5.03494-5. Presentation: 6/2/2024