ABSTRACT

Hong Kong Med J 2006;12:385-7 | Number 5, October 2006
CASE REPORT
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy type II in a Chinese patient
CC Tsang, GTC Ko, KK Wong, HS Chan, AWY Yu
Department of Medicine, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, 11 Chuen On Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong
 
 
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy type II is rarely reported in Chinese patients. A 42-year-old Chinese woman with a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism presented with pneumonia. During hospitalisation, she went into an adrenal crisis and diabetic ketoacidosis. Subsequent dynamic hormonal tests revealed primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. She also had pernicious anaemia, possible alopecia areata, and myasthenia gravis. This constellation of multiple endocrine and non-endocrine disorders led to the diagnosis of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy type II. As the syndrome can be lethal, it is important to maintain a high index of suspicion, enabling early diagnosis and the appropriate replacement therapy, to ensure a successful outcome.
 
Key words: Adrenal insufficiency; Anemia, pernicious, Diabetes mellitus; Polyendocrinopathies, autoimmune; Thyroiditis, autoimmune
 
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