Hypothyroid Myopathy

Abstract

Already in the 1890's descriptions were given of muscle-function disorders in myxedema in the form of retarded contraction and relaxation; they occurred sometimes simultaneously with general or local muscle hypertrophy (Hoffmann's syndrome). Muscle hypertrophy was also observed in cases with normal contractions. Symptoms of this type have been described in a considerable number of publications (Perugini and Prati, 1957). The hypertrophic musculature is usually impaired. Pains and cramps in the muscles are common. Isolated cases of muscle atrophy in myxedema have been reported (Nick, 1943; Rimbaud and Passouant, 1947; Piaggio-Blancho and Malosetti, 1950), but they either lack satisfactory documentation, or alternative interpretations have been given concerning the muscle atrophy. In a preliminary report, Kugelberg, Müller, and Åström (1959) described 3 patients with hypothyroidism that presented weakness in the proximal muscle groups, especially in the lower extremities, without hypertrophy or contraction disturbances. Electromyographic and histologic examinations revealed a primary myopathy which