Autoimmune thyroiditis with minimal change disease presenting acute kidney injury / 영남의대학술지

ABSTRACT

Autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the world. It is characterized clinically by gradual thyroid failure, goiter formation, or both, because of the autoimmune-mediated destruction of the thyroid gland. Renal involvement presenting proteinuria in autoimmune thyroiditis is not uncommon, occurring in 10% to 30% of the cases. Glomerulonephropathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis, however, is a rare disease. Most reports of autoimmune thyroiditis with glomerulonephropathy have demonstrated a mixed pathological morphology and have been predominantly associated with membranous glomerulopathy. The case of minimal-change disease associated with thyroiditis presenting acute kidney injury is a rare disease that has not been reported in South Korea. Reported herein is the case of a 16-year-old man diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, with minimal-change disease presenting acute kidney injury. He revealed hypothyroidism, proteinuria, and impaired renal function. Renal biopsy showed minimal-change disease and minimal tubular atrophy. The patient was treated with thyroid hormone, and his renal function and proteinuria improved. Therefore, for patients with autoimmune thyroiditis presenting unexplained proteinuria, glomerulonephropathy should be ruled out. Conversely, for patients with glomerulonephropathy and persistent proteinuria despite proper treatment, thyroid function and antibody tests should be performed.