Symptoms Of Hypothyroid Myopathy:
Even after treatment, residual muscle pain and fatigue may persist in some patients. Nursing staff should assist with monitoring, follow-up, and educating the patient and family. Muscle biopsy is not necessary for diagnosis but, if done, will show swollen and pale muscle tissue with loss of striations and increased separation between the muscle fibers due to mucinous depositions.
Patients should be advised to promptly inform their healthcare provider about any emergence or aggravation of muscle weakness, cramping, or myalgias as part of monitoring for hypothyroid myopathy. Regular follow-up appointments are crucial to evaluate thyroid function changes and make appropriate medication dosage adjustments as needed. Hypothyroid myopathy, affecting around 79% of hypothyroid patients, presents with generalized muscle pain and weakness in both congenital and acquired cases. Thyroid hormone deficiency impacts overall metabolism and organ function, notably the musculoskeletal system. This activity discusses its presentation, assessment, and management while emphasizing the interprofessional team’s crucial role.
Muscle membrane excitability is reduced, most likely from sodium-channel inactivation (187) and impaired propagation of action potentials through altered T-tubules (52). Hyperthyroid patients have depleted muscle and whole-body potassium (196). Reduced intracellular potassium may contribute to the impaired muscle excitability by inactivating sodium channels through persistent membrane depolarization. The released have a peek here thyroid hormones increase the basal metabolic rate, increase body temperature (calorigenic effect), augment the actions of catecholamines, and influence growth and development. This is a negative-feedback control mechanism, as the released thyroid hormones inhibit release of both TRH by the hypothalamus and TSH by the pituitary. Periodic paralysis in resistance to thyroid hormone syndrome (single report).
All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee(s) and with the Helsinki Declaration (as revised in 2013). Prolonging optimal treatment of hypothyroidism can make treating hypothyroid myopathy more extraneous and challenging. One case study examined a 30-year-old man diagnosed after two years of have a peek here hypothyroidism symptoms. He went on to normalize his thyroid function on thyroid hormone replacement therapy. However, because he went so long without diagnosis and treatment, the symptoms of myopathy did not improve quickly. Another case study of a 28-year-old woman demonstrated steady improvement in her myopathy symptoms and muscle strength while receiving therapy with levothyroxine for her hypothyroidism.
Mainly when walking or standing for a long time, a lot of pain and burning sensation is felt in the soles. This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system accidentally attacks the thyroid gland. The thyroid becomes damaged and no longer produces enough thyroid hormone. If there are low levels of this hormone, a wide range of diverse symptoms may develop. Certain dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and selenium, may benefit people with Hoffman’s syndrome and hypothyroid myopathy.
In adults, there may also be joint pain and stiffness, particularly affecting the hands and knees. As reported by Healthline, the initial symptom of an escalating thyroid issue is often neck pain. Given that the thyroid gland is situated in the front of the neck, any dysfunction in this gland significantly impacts the neck region. Consequently, individuals may experience not only neck pain but also considerable swelling around the throat. The dangers of statin use in hypothyroid patients have been illustrated and the necessity for appropriate biochemical monitoring has been emphasized.
He was later diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism, but he was poorly compliant with treatment. On examination his height was 151 cm and his weight was 83 kg with a BMI of 35 kg/m2 (obese). He had macroglossia, a hoarse voice, coarse skin, nonpitting edema over the ankles, and sinus bradycardia (58 beats /minute), but no goiter. Rhabdomyolysis and respiratory weakness are also rare complications of hypothyroid myopathy (176). Rhabdomyolysis may produce osteofascial compartment syndrome and further secondary complications (eg, foot drop due to peroneal neuropathy) (176).
Occasionally, hypothyroid myopathy is more fulminant, with marked serum muscle enzyme elevations. A single case of camptocormia due to hypothyroid myopathy involving primarily paraspinal muscles has been reported. On examination, deep tendon reflexes are characteristically described as “hung-up” due to delayed muscle relaxation.
Because patients with polymyositis often present (20’40%) with positive serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA), the detection of the ANA antibody profile is of limited value in differentiating hypothyroid myopathy from SLE and Sjogren’s syndrome. EMG and muscle biopsy can provide key information for differential diagnosis. EMG shows myogenic injury in 70’90% of polymyositis cases, while EMG shows no specificity in hypothyroid myopathy, which can be neurogenic, myotonic, or normal. However, EMG and muscle biopsy are difficult to use as routine examinations in clinic due to the limitation of objective conditions. Therefore, thyroid function examination and thyroid autoantibody examination are important for the diagnosis of patients with clinical symptoms of unexplained muscle weakness, hypokalemia, and elevated muscle enzymes.
Low free T4 and T3 levels, as well as a low total T4 level and a decreased free T4 index, are seen. The degree of myopathy is not necessarily correlated to the degree of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism can cause several symptoms, ranging from mild (eg, fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, mental slowing, muscle cramping) to severe (eg, heart enlargement, myxedema coma [rare]). Endocrine myopathies happen when hormones interfere with muscle function. Physical therapy can also be a part of the treatment plan while thyroid levels are reported.
This weakness can affect various body parts, including the arms, legs, and sometimes even the facial muscles. Individuals with Hoffman’s syndrome often struggle with tasks that require strength, such as lifting heavy objects or participating in sports activities. The weakness can gradually progress over time, affecting daily activities and mobility. From heart rate to digestion to the loss of eyebrow hair, the thyroid gland affects every body system. One area that’s significantly impacted — but often overlooked — is the musculoskeletal system. Read on as we explore a muscle condition known as hypothyroid myopathy, its common symptoms, and treatment options.
Critical illness myopathy is a disease of your limbs and the muscles that help you breathe (respiratory muscles). Autoimmune/inflammatory myopathies are diseases in which your body attacks itself, causing problems with muscle function. Symptoms of congenital myopathies usually start at birth or in early childhood, but may not appear until the teen years or even later in adulthood. Congenital myopathies get the facts are somewhat unique compared with other inherited myopathies, as weakness typically affects all muscles (not just proximal [closest to the center of your body] ones) and is often not progressive. Myopathy refers to diseases that affect skeletal muscles (muscles that connect to your bones). People with hyperthyroid myopathy may experience weakness in the throat, face, and respiratory muscles.