Case Report
Unusual Presentation of Hypothyroidism in a Pregnant Woman,
Mimicking Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasm
Soheila Aminimoghaddam,
1
Narmin Karisani,
2
Maryam Mazloomi,
3
and Maryam Rahimi
3
1
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shahid Akbar-Abadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences,
Molavi Street, Tehran, Iran
3
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shahid Akbar-Abadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences,
Molavi Street, Tehran, Iran
Correspondence should be addressed to Narmin Karisani; karisani.n@tak.iums.ac.ir
Received 1 December 2015; Revised 14 January 2016; Accepted 1 February 2016
Academic Editor: Annekathryn Goodman
Copyright © 2016 Soheila Aminimoghaddam et al. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is
properly cited.
Hypothyroidism is a common health issue worldwide with varying clinical manifestations. We report a woman who experienced
an incomplete abortion and undiagnosed hypothyroidism who was referred to the oncologist with the suspicion of metastatic
gestational trophoblastic neoplasm (GTN). A 29-year-old woman with incomplete abortion was referred to an oncologist for
possible GTN due to persistent active vaginal bleeding, an elevated beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), abnormal cervical
inspection exam, abnormal liver function tests, ovarian enlargement, ascites, and a pleural efusion. She was found to have
hypothyroidism in further work-up. She was managed with thyroid hormone replacement therapy and her condition improved
afer 6 weeks. Complete resolution of the ovarian mass and pericardial and pleural efusion was achieved. Tis case describes an
important experience; hypothyroidism should be considered in the diferential diagnosis of any woman with an incomplete abortion
presenting with an ovarian mass. Evaluation and correct diagnosis are important to prevent mismanagement.
1. Introduction
Evaluation of thyroid disease in pregnancy is important for
gestational maternal health, obstetric outcome, and subse-
quent development of the child. Te most frequent thyroid
disorder in pregnancy is hypothyroidism. Maternal hypothy-
roidism increases the risk for miscarriage and fetal death [1],
anemia, postpartum hemorrhage, placental abruption, car-
diac dysfunction [2], gestational hypertension/preeclampsia,
and preterm births [1].
Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) are rare com-
plications of pregnancy caused by defective diferentiation of
the trophoblast. Symptoms difer and may range from uterine
bleeding to metabolic disease such as human chorionic
gonadotropin (hCG) triggered hyperthyroidism. Metastasis
to the lungs and vagina is possible. Additionally, lutein-cysts
of the ovaries can occur as a consequence of increased -hCG
resulting in ovarian hyperstimulation [3].
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) not only
happens mostly as an iatrogenic complication of assisted
reproductive technology but also occurs following high levels
of hCG and severe hypothyroidism [4, 5]. Spontaneous and
iatrogenic OHSS share similar pathophysiological sequences
including massive recruitment and growth of ovarian fol-
licles, extensive luteinization provoked by hCG, and over-
secretion of vasogenic molecules by the corpus luteum. Tis
can cause acute fuid shifs from the intravascular space to
third-space compartments [6, 7]. Due to diferences in the
treatment of these diferent diseases, a correct diagnosis is
essential [3, 4, 8].
We report a case of hypothyroidism that was initially
misdiagnosed and referred to an oncologist with suspicion for
metastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasm. Te history
and all laboratory tests must be interpreted with care because
misinterpretation can lead to serious consequences for the
patient and a delay in treatment.
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Case Reports in Oncological Medicine
Volume 2016, Article ID 3154267, 4 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3154267