Medico-legal implications of hidden thyroid dysfunction: a study of two cases

Abstract

In this paper we present two cases in which thyroid disorders were unexpectedly brought to view. The question we ponder is whether hidden thyroid dysfunction may be important in the cause, mechanism and manner of death, or just an incidental discovery during the post-mortem examination. A short literature review has been conducted in order to evaluate previously reported cases of thyroid pathology and sudden death. The significance of post-mortem evaluation of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) will be considered briefly.