Improvement of Vitiligo after Concurrent Treatment of Hypothyroidism: A Case Report

Abstract

Vitiligo is a disorder of pigmentation characterized by the development of depigmented macules and patches. The etiology is multifactorial, including immune mediated destruction of melanotytes. Several autoimmune conditions are associated with vitiligo, but thyroid disease is the most common. In this case report, we describe a patient with rapidly depigmenting vitiligo who stabilized on narrowband UVB (NBUVB) phototherapy and oral corticosteroids, and began showing dramatic repigmentation once thyroid replacement was initiated. This highlights the interplay between vitiligo and autoimmune thyroid disease, as well as the need for adequate treatment of both disorders to achieve optimal treatment response.