Association of hyperthyroidism and ulcerative colitis. Report of two cases.

The association of hyperthyroidism and ulcerative colitis (UC) is presented in two cases: a 61-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman. In the first case the onset of hyperthyroidism was detected at the age of 25, and the onset of ulcerative colitis at the age of 36. The second case presented severe hyperthyroidism started at the age of 51. In the latter case ulcerative colitis had been detected ten year earlier. To our knowledge this report seems to be the first one considering this association from the endocrinological standpoint. The association of these two diseases might suggest that the disturbance of even one organ specific immune lesion implies a wider disorder. Thus one might assume that the association of multiple organ-specific immune diseases represents an unsuccessful attempt to equilibrate the repertoire of idiotypes and anti-idiotypes belonging to the immune network.