A Rare Case of Severe Jaundice in a Panhypopituitarism Patient

Abstract

Hyperbilirubinemia and transaminitis are rarely associated with a disorder of endocrine function. It mostly manifests as a cholestatic pattern of liver injury. Herein, a 25-year-old female patient with a past medical history of congenital hypopituitarism due to pituitary ectopia presented with serum direct bilirubin level of 9.9 mg/dL and aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine transaminase (ALT) of 60/47 U/L. All tests for chronic liver disease imaging and liver biopsy were normal. She was found to have central hypothyroidism and low cortisol level. She was started on intravenous (IV) levothyroxine 75 g daily and IV hydrocortisone 10-5 mg AM/PM. She was discharged on oral levothyroxine 88 g daily and hydrocortisone orally 10 mg twice daily. Follow-up labs 1 month later showed completely normal liver function test. In conclusion, hyperbilirubinemia due to congenital hypopituitarism can occur in adults. Delayed recognition of underlying endocrine disorder as a cause of hyperbilirubinemia and hepatocellular inflammation can result in end-stage liver damage due to prolonged cholestasis.

J Med Cases. 2023;14(6):204-207
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc4102