A case of inappropriate thyroid-stimulating hormone secretion syndrome after thalidomide treatment

Thalidomide is used for the management of several diseases, including the treatment of certain dermatological conditions. We report a case of thyroid dysfunction, characterized by a high serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level accompanied by high free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4), in a patient with preexisting hypothyroidism and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection during thalidomide treatment. The case provides a novel pattern of thyroid dysfunction induced by thalidomide, differing from classical thyroid disease. We recommended a measurement of baseline thyroid function and TRAb before thalidomide treatment, every 2 weeks during the initial 1-3 months, and then monthly.