Clinical Reasoning: Diagnosis of Thyrotoxicosis in Primary Care - A Case Report

This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges of thyrotoxicosis in a 15-year-old girl with symptoms of general malaise, fatigue, and hair loss. Initial tests showed iron deficiency anemia and undetectable TSH levels, with elevated FT4 and FT3, but no TSH receptor antibodies, suggesting either silent thyroiditis or antibody-negative Graves' disease. Scintigraphy confirmed silent thyroiditis. The report emphasizes the complexity of diagnosing thyroid disorders in primary care due to nonspecific symptoms and underscores the importance of comprehensive diagnostic approaches, noting hair loss as a potential diagnostic indicator.