Abstract
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is a clinical condition that often requires the concurrent use of multiple medications. Unfortunately, cross reactivity between multiple drugs occurs frequently. Today, we present the case of a 79-year-old male with heart failure and atrial fibrillation on long term amiodarone therapy. His furosemide dose was increased from 40 milligrams (mg) to 80 mg after he developed bilateral lower extremity swelling. The patient eventually developed generalized joint pains, weakness, difficulty maintaining balance, and frequent falls. He reported to the Emergency Department (ED), where he was noted to be suffering from severe acute kidney injury (AKI), and his thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was found to be severely elevated. The patient's AKI was treated with intravenous fluid resuscitation, and his hypothyroidism was treated initially with IV levothyroxine, followed by oral levothyroxine. His condition rapidly improved, and he was discharged home on both amiodarone and levothyroxine.
Recommended Citation
Ali, MD, Muneeba; Haddad, MD, Enad; Naqvi, MD, Warda; Afzal, MD, Ayesha; and Mizrahi, MD, Eddy
(2026)
"A Dose of Trouble: A Case of Furosemide Exacerbating Amiodarone-Induced Hypothyroidism,"
The Medicine Forum: Vol. 27, Article 8.
Available at:
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/tmf/vol27/iss1/8
