The Double-Edged Sword of Methimazole: Managing Graves' Disease with a Twist

This case study highlights a rare but serious complication of methimazole therapy in a 40-year-old female with Graves' disease (GD), who developed severe thrombocytopenia after starting the medication. Despite methimazole's role in managing hyperthyroidism, it can exacerbate immune thrombocytopenia, as evidenced by the patient's dramatic drop in platelet count from 97,000/µL to 9,000/µL, accompanied by bleeding symptoms. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring for drug-induced thrombocytopenia in GD patients, especially when new bleeding symptoms arise, and suggests considering alternative treatments like radioactive iodine therapy or surgery for GD management.