AUTOIMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERTHYROIDISM IN A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL

An association between thrombocytopenia and thyrotoxicosis has been pr eviously documented. In addition, a familial association between throm bocytopenia and thyrotoxicosis has also been reported, Theories for et iology include a common immunologic cause, a thyrotoxic-induced decrea se in platelet survival, and a genetic predisposition for underlying a utoimmune disease. We report a case of autoimmune thrombocytopenic pur pura associated with hyperthyroidism in which the patient's thrombocyt openia and thyrotoxicosis resolved concomitantly, We recommend testing for hyperthyroidism in all patients with unexplained thrombocytopenia and that family members of patients be evaluated, screened, and obser ved for thrombocytopenia and hyperthyroidism.