Non-autoimmune overt hypothyroidism in the early stages of nephrotic syndrome: A case report from Somalia

Abstract

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) was first characterized in 1827 as the occurrence of proteinuria greater than or equal to 3.5 g/24 hours, hypoalbuminemia (albumin less than or equal to 3.0 g/dl), peripheral edema, hyperlipidemia, lipiduria caused by increased permeability of the renal glomerulus. In the early stage of NS the loss of thyroid hormones rarely leads to hypothyroidism and euthyroid state is expected. However, persistent proteinuria will eventually lead to hypothyroidism. Non-autoimmune hypothyroidism due to NS which presents at an early stage of NS is quite rare and cases reporting it are very scarce in the literature. In the presenting case, we reported a 26-year-old male patient with no known history of chronic disease who presented to the emergency department with a complaint of one-week generalized edema, nausea, fatigue, and generalized ache in the extremities. He was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome complicated by hypothyroidism and was hospitalized for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks of treatment and close monitoring, the patient’s clinical condition and laboratory investigations were improved and was discharged in good health.