leuprolide and Myxedema

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists have been used for the treatment of various diseases. Although autoimmune thyroid disease has been reported as a rare complication of these agents, the symptoms are almost always transient and non-life-threatening. We herein report a rare case of an 83-year-old man receiving GnRH agonist treatment for prostate cancer who developed myxedema coma complicated by acute pancreatitis. This is the first report of myxedema coma potentially associated with a GnRH agonist. The follow-up of the thyroid function is necessary for patients undergoing treatment with GnRH agonists, especially those known to have or to be susceptible to autoimmune thyroid disease.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged, 80 and over; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Coma; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Leuprolide; Male; Myxedema; Pancreatitis; Prostatic Neoplasms