The transition of subacute thyroiditis to Graves' disease as evidenced by diagnostic imaging.

The development of Graves' disease as evidenced by diagnostic imaging and appearance of TSH receptor antibodies is described in a 49-year-old woman 6 months after onset of subacute thyroiditis. The HLA typing indicated that the patient had a genetic predisposition to hyperthyroid Graves' disease as well as subacute thyroiditis. A possible causal relationship is discussed.