A case with chronic fatigue syndrome with positive antinuclear antibody followed by postpartum thyroiditis

Abstract

Autoimmune fatigue syndrome (AIFS) is defined by chronic nonspecific complaints, a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) assay, and the absence of another explanation for the complaints. Some severe cases fulfill the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). CFS is a syndrome characterized by disabling severe fatigue and defined by the criteria proposed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this report, a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome and positive ANA assay was described as having developed postpartum thyroiditis 5 years after the onset. Subchemical hypothyroidism is characterized by clinical hypothyroidism not meeting biochemical criteria but showing evidence of thyroid autoimmunity. The relation between AIFS and subchemical hypothyroidism is discussed.

Key words::

• Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs)
• Anti-thyroid anti-bodies
• Autoimmune fatigue syndrome (AIFS)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
• Hypothyroidism