PRIMARY HYPERTHYROIDISM INDUCED ERYTHROPOIETIN-RESISTANT ANEMIA

We describe a 26-year-old male hemodialysis patient with erythropoieti n (EPO) resistant anemia associated with primary hyperthyroidism. Use of the anti-hyperthyroid drug, methimazole, led to improvement of his hyperthyroidism and anemia. Before the anti-hyperthyroid therapy, he h ad received transfusions to maintain an adequate hematocrit during rec ombinant human EPO therapy. After the therapy, his hyperthyroidism imp roved and his hematocrit gradually increased without any transfusion. These findings suggest that the patient's EPO resistant anemia was the result of primary hyperthyroidism, and that this complication is reve rsible if accurate treatment is given.