Two Cases of Anorexia Nervosa Associated with Graves’ Disease

Abstract

In this report on two cases of anorexia nervosa associated with Graves’ disease, metabolism and the relationship between the two illness are considered. Case 1 was a 25-year-old female. Anorexia was associated with a stressful life situation following marriage. One year after the onset of anorexia, her condition was diagnosed as Graves’ disease. In spite of high levels of serum thyroid hormone, she did not show the clinical signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The hypermetabolic state of Graves’ disease seems to be suppressed by the hypometabolism of anorexia. Case 2 was a 17-year-old female whose body weight, due to anorexia, at one time had decreased from 55 kg to 35.2 kg. A rebound from anorexia to bulimia increased her body weight to 80 kg in spite of an association with the hypermetabolic state of Graves’ disease. In light of the abovementioned cases, it seems that the clinical picture of Graves’ disease is usually hidden by the clinical symptoms of anorexia nervosa. © 1987, The Japan Endocrine Society. All rights reserved.