Thyrotoxicosis caused by functioning metastatic thyroid carcinoma. A rare and elusive cause of hyperthyroidism with low radioactive iodine uptake.

A patient with progressively worsening thyrotoxicosis, refractory to medical therapy, is described. Repeated measurements of thyroidal RAI uptake over a 13 month period were low consistently and could not be explained by iodine ingestion, thyroiditis, or administration of exogenous thyroid hormone. An I-131 scan ultimately revealed striking activity at the base of the skull, reflecting ectopic excessive production of thyroid hormone by a solitary functioning metastatic thyroid carcinoma. The thyrotoxic state resolved after large doses of therapeutic I-131. Typical features of this rare cause of hyperthyroidism are discussed.