methimazole and Scleroderma--Limited

Although Graves' disease and systemic sclerosis are both autoimmune disorders, their relationship is rarely reported. We present the case of a Filipino woman with goitre and thyrotoxic signs and symptoms. Diagnosed with Graves' disease at the outpatient clinic, she took antithyroid medications and underwent radioactive iodine ablation with resultant hypothyroidism after 6 months, during which she began to experience skin tightness over the face, neck and fingers. Workup revealed limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis, and the patient improved with methotrexate. This case highlights the increased prevalence of coincident autoimmune disorders in Graves' disease.

Topics: Adult; Antithyroid Agents; Facial Dermatoses; Female; Graves Disease; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Immunosuppressive Agents; Iodine Radioisotopes; Methimazole; Methotrexate; Neck; Scleroderma, Limited; Thyroxine