Onset of ulcerative colitis after thyrotoxicosis: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that could be triggered by acute stressful events, such as gastrointestinal infections or emotional stress.

Patients and methods: We reported the case of the onset of an ulcerative colitis after a thyrotoxicosis crisis and reviewed the literature about the relationships between thyroid dysfunctions and ulcerative colitis.

Results: A 38-year-old woman was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after her third thyrotoxicosis crisis, two years after the diagnosis of Graves' disease. In this case, thyrotoxicosis acted as a trigger for ulcerative colitis onset.

Conclusions: Hyperthyroidism could be a trigger able to elicit ulcerative colitis in susceptible patients.