Severe and Persistent Thyroid Dysfunction Associated with Tetracycline-Antibiotic Treatment in Youth

Abstract

Thyroid dysfunction in adolescents treated with minocycline for acne has been previously described as transient effect and/or associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. We report nonimmune-mediated thyroid dysfunction associated with minocycline/doxycycline in 3 adolescents whose clinical courses suggest an adverse effect that may be more common, serious, and persistent than realized previously.

Keywords: acne vulgaris; doxycycline; hyperthyroidism; hypothyroidism; minocycline; tetracycline; thyroid dysfunction; thyroiditis.