Abstract
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), characterized by excessive emesis, fluid depletion, electrolyte imbalance, and weight loss, is a condition that affects approximately 0.3-2% of pregnancies. In this case report, we highlight the importance of careful investigation, evaluation, and supportive management of a primigravida woman diagnosed with HG along with concurrent development of gestational transient thyrotoxicosis (GTT) and HG-associated transaminitis at ten weeks of gestation. HG typically starts in the first trimester, during which GTT is commonly observed.
A 23-year-old primigravida in her first trimester of gestation presented with persistent vomiting, progressive fatigue, and an inability to maintain oral intake. Upon investigation, her liver enzymes were elevated, and thyroid function tests (TFTs) revealed a classic picture of transient hyperthyroidism, with negative thyroid receptor antibodies (TRAb)/thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI).
Upon ruling out other causes, she was diagnosed with HG-associated transaminitis complicated by GTT. She was managed supportively with IV fluids, antiemetics, and thiamine. Due to the self-limiting nature of GTT, anti-thyroid drugs were not initiated. She was then discharged on Day 7 in a vitally stable condition. At the eight-week follow-up after discharge, symptoms and laboratory abnormalities improved. Recognizing the diagnostic complexity of overlapping HG, GTT, and HG-associated transaminitis is crucial for appropriate conservative management.
References
1. Gaba N, Gaba S. Study of Liver Dysfunction in Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Cureus. 2020: e8709 [PMID: 32699704, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.8709]
2. Iijima S. Pitfalls in the assessment of gestational transient thyrotoxicosis. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2020: 662 [PMID: 32301638, https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2020.1754391]
3. Outlaw WM, Ibdah JA, Koch KL. Hyperemesis gravidarum and maternal liver disease:
4. Pearce EN. Management of Thyrotoxicosis: Preconception, Pregnancy, and the Postpartum Period. Endocr Pract. 2019: 62 [PMID: 30289300, https://doi.org/10.4158/EP-2018-0356]
5. Alexander EK, Pearce EN, Brent GA, Brown RS, Chen H, Dosiou C, Grobman WA, Laurberg P, Lazarus JH, Mandel SJ, Peeters RP, Sullivan S. 2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum. Thyroid. 2017: 315 [PMID: 28056690, https://doi.org/10.1089/thy.2016.0457]
6. Nwabuobi C, Arlier S, Schatz F, Guzeloglu-Kayisli O, Lockwood CJ, Kayisli UA. hCG: Biological Functions and Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci. 2017: [PMID: 28937611, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18102037]
7. Albaar MT, Adam JM. Gestational transient thyrotoxicosis. Acta Med Indones. 2009: 99 [PMID: 19390130,
8. Austin K, Wilson K, Saha S. Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Nutr Clin Pract. 2019: 226 [PMID: 30334272, https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10205]
9. Eliakim R, Abulafia O, Sherer DM. Hyperemesis gravidarum: a current review. Am J Perinatol. 2000: 207 [PMID: 11041443, https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000-9424]
10. Gadsby R, Ivanova D, Trevelyan E, Hutton JL, Johnson S. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is not just 'morning sickness': data from a prospective cohort study in the UK. Br J Gen Pract. 2020: e534 [PMID: 32601054, https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp20X710885]
11. Worede A, Deress T, Wondifraw H, Fetene G, Berie A. Electrolyte imbalance and liver function test abnormalities among pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum at Wag-himra zone public hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia, 2023: a comparative cross-sectional study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024: 1451036 [PMID: 39741505, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1451036]
12. Netravathi M, Sinha S, Taly AB, Bindu PS, Bharath RD. Hyperemesis-gravidarum-induced Wernicke's encephalopathy: serial clinical, electrophysiological and MR imaging observations. J Neurol Sci. 2009: 214 [PMID: 19477464, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2009.05.004]
13. Nelson-Piercy C, Dean C, Shehmar M, Gadsby R, O'Hara M, Hodson K, Nana M, Royal College of O, Gynaecologists. The Management of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Green-top Guideline No. 69). BJOG. 2024: e1 [PMID: 38311315, https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17739]
14. Sun S, Qiu X, Zhou J. Clinical analysis of 65 cases of hyperemesis gravidarum with gestational transient thyrotoxicosis. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2014: 1567 [PMID: 24888917, https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.12372]

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Urwah Noor , Muhammad Shumas, Amal Shahzad Khan, Rizwan Zafar, Javeria Rizwan

