THYROID ADENOMAS AND THYROTOXICOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH HYPOPITUITARISM FOLLOWING HYPOPHYSECTOMY

Abstract

Development of thyroid adenomas has been observed in 2 hypophysectomized women, one of whom became severely thyrotoxic. In neither patient was there evidence of function of the anterior pituitary or of any target-organ other than the thyroid. Under certain circumstances thyroid adenomas appear to be autonomous in their growth and function and are able to synthesize normal or excessive amounts of thyroid hormone in the absence of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thyrotoxicosis is not necessarily a pituitary-induced disorder.