The most common etiology of Hyperthyroidism is due to circulating antibodies that are directed against the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor, known as Grave’s Disease (GD). Another cause is an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule over-producing hormones or Toxic Adenoma. The mechanism of these two pathologies are very distinct, but the question that arises is, can they coexist? This is a case of 44-year-old female who comes to the clinic referred by her ophthalmologist after been diagnosed with severe thyroid-associated orbitopathy currently on steroid therapy. Thyroid ultrasound has done previously showed enlarged homogenous thyroid gland with a single isoechoic nodule of 2.2x1.6x1.9cm with faint peripheral calcifications and vascularity. The patient was presenting with palpitations, heat intolerance, sweating, and discriminatory features such as double vision and left eye exophthalmos. On physical examination, there was no goiter or palpable thyroid nodules, but it was remarkable for left eyelid lag retraction and mild proptosis. Evaluation showed clinical and biochemical hyperthyroidism with TSH: 0.068 mU/ml (n:0.5-5.0mU/ml), FT4: 1.39ng/dl (n:0.87-1.85ng/dl), TSH receptor antibody: <1.10IU/L and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin: 0.54IU/L (borderline high). The patient was placed in antithyroid drugs and B-blockers for disease control. Afterward, the patient underwent a thyroid uptake scan reporting toxic adenoma on the left lobe, however even when the biochemical workup of GD is inconclusive, patient clinical findings are highly suggestive of it. Due to the risk of worsening orbitopathy with radioactive iodine therapy, patient was referred for surgical excision of toxic adenoma and total thyroidectomy was decided since residual thyroid tissue may expose the patient to circulating thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin leading to hyperthyroidism recurrence and put her at risk of associated thyroid excess detrimental complications. Surgical specimen gross pathology biopsy reported the thyroid gland with hyperplastic changes of Grave’s Disease. Severe thyroid-associated orbitopathy was managed with decompression surgery but did not improve, for which an alternative therapeutic approach is decided with novel immunomodulatory agent and recent approved therapy, Teprotumumab. A monoclonal antibody that works on TSHR/IGF-1R signaling complex involved in Thyroid Eye Disease. Is unusual to see two different superimposing thyroid pathologies, but disease presentations can be atypical and can be present concomitantly. In this scenario, several factors must be taken into consideration when choosing an adequate therapy approach. Our case is an example that we need to individualize management options based on guidelines recommendations, patient’s clinical settings and decreased risks of future complications.

Hypertriglyceridemia… From mild to fatal! … Is Time for Awareness. Hypertriglyceridemia can be primary or acquired. High triglycerides are related to complications such as pancreatitis and there is a positive correlation between hypertriglyceridemia and atherosclerotic burden. In this case series we aim to discuss pancreatitis as a hypertriglyceridemia complication and to acknowledge the importance of prevention and management. Is there something we can do to raise awareness and avoid complications as in the cases? All cases present with chief complaint of epigastric cramp-like abdominal pain, radiating to the back, nausea/vomiting and with highly lipemic blood samples. 38y/o F admitted after been found with lipase 268 U/L (n<60 U/L), amylase 131 U/L (n<100 U/L) and findings of pancreatitis on CT scan. Patient with one-year history of T2DM refers this is the 4th episode of pancreatitis and reports that last time she was told about having triglycerides in 4,000 mg/dL for which she went to her physician that prescribe her Fenofibrate. Patient triglycerides were 7,931 mg/dL (n<199 mg/dL) and found with poorly controlled diabetes with HgbA1c 8.4%. She was properly managed, and triglycerides decrease to 1,309 mg/dL. 31y/o F with elevated lipase (237 U/L, n<60 U/L) and findings of pancreatitis on CT scan was admitted and found with 7,755 mg/dL triglycerides. She refers to have endometriosis for which she uses OCPs for >5years. She develops intractable abdominal pain along with abdominal distension and progress to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) requiring mechanical ventilation. She had a prolonged ICU stay and after management triglycerides decrease to 95mg/dL, symptoms resolve, and patient was discharge. 48y/o F with pancreatitis, lipase levels 1,452 U/L, amylase 744 U/L and positive imaging findings. Patient with uncontrolled diabetes (HgbA1c 11.0%) and breast mass s/p lumpectomy for which she used tamoxifen for the last 2 years. Triglycerides 7,444mg/dL on Gemfibrozil started due to previous levels found >4,000 mg/dL on outpatient evaluation. She deteriorates clinically and develops renal failure, abdominal compartment syndrome, respiratory distress and hypotension requiring mechanical ventilation and vasopressors. On repeated abdominal CT pancreas changes were suggestive of fulminant pancreatitis. Patient did not respond to treatment and passed away 48 hours after admission. Hypertriglyceridemia complications can be mild or fatal as in these cases. They were evaluated by a primary care physician before complications occur and had secondary causes that predispose them to hypertriglyceridemia, but they were not addressed, reason for which these scenarios raise concern of how much we know? How much we are doing to prevent these outcomes?... Awareness of hypertriglyceridemia management and adverse effects is necessary to avoid complications and fatal outcomes. Is time!

A 53-year male with incidental bilateral adrenal masses along with symptoms of proximal muscle weakness, anxiety, and depression. Past medical history of uric acid nephrolithiasis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, anxiety, and depression. A right adrenal mass of 2.8cm and a left adrenal mass of 1.5cm both of <10 HU on non-enhancing CT. Hormonal activity workup was ordered which showed cortisol levels of 4.7mcg/dL on 1mg ONDST suggestive of autonomous cortisol excess and workup for primary hyperaldosteronism was negative. On follow up CT adrenal masses remained stable, but the patient underwent the annual hormonal workup for incidentaloma with 1mg ONDST and found with cortisol 4.5mcg/dL, eventually repeated with 2-day LDDST which showed no suppression of cortisol with levels at 4.5 mcg/dL confirming the diagnosis of autonomous cortisol excess. ACTH found to be suppressed at 3.1pg/dL (7.2–63.3 pg/dL) which helped confirm the diagnosis of non-ACTH dependent autonomous cortisol excess. Referred to surgery evaluation due to complications associated with cortisol excess as osteoporosis and uncontrolled hyperglycemia however surgical intervention was deferred until the source of cortisol excess could be identified within the bilateral adrenal masses and it was recommended to continue with medical therapy. As the cortisol excess source cannot be identified by localizing procedures and despite adequate medical therapy and stable adrenal masses on imaging, patient persisted with uncontrolled DM/hypertension and worsening BMD in the spine and hip with surgery not being an option. The patient was started on glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone in which upon reevaluation weakness and fatigue were noticeable along with hypokalemia of 3.1mmol/L after 2 weeks of therapy that was eventually replaced but 2 weeks later the patient discontinued therapy as he could not tolerate side effects related to adrenal insufficiency associated with mifepristone, such as weakness, fatigue, and dependence of potassium supplementation due to hypokalemia. This effect is physiologically important, because cortisol binds as avidly as aldosterone to the mineralocorticoid receptor, and the plasma cortisol concentration is approximately 100-fold higher than the plasma aldosterone concentration and it can lead to hypokalemia by the mechanism of apparent mineralocorticoid excess. Also, as mifepristone blocks cortisol action, the levels of ACTH and cortisol increase so high that hormonal measurement cannot be used to judge either therapeutic efficacy or adrenal insufficiency, we must go based on signs and symptoms.