eMedicine Specialties > Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation > Myopathy

Hypothyroid Myopathy: Follow-up

Author: Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Coauthor(s): Diana M Echeverry, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Endocrinology, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 21, 2008

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

  • Some patients with hypothyroid myopathy may need a short stay in acute rehabilitation.

Further Outpatient Care

  • Outpatient physical therapy is indicated.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

  • Continuation of thyroid supplementation is needed, with close monitoring of the levels. Once a normal value has been achieved (normal thyrotropin), levels can be checked annually, unless the patient becomes pregnant or exacerbation of symptoms develops.

Deterrence

  • Patients with hypothyroid myopathy should be careful with regard to the use of cholesterol-reducing agents (ie, HMG CoA reductase inhibitors), such as statins.

Prognosis

  • With treatment, hypothyroidism has a good prognosis. An early diagnosis and the prompt introduction of thyroid supplemental treatment are needed. Complete resolution of weakness and other symptoms takes several months of treatment.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

 


More on Hypothyroid Myopathy

Overview: Hypothyroid Myopathy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Hypothyroid Myopathy
Treatment & Medication: Hypothyroid Myopathy
Follow-up: Hypothyroid Myopathy
References
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References

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  10. Casimiro-Lopes G, Alves SB, Salerno VP, et al. Maximum acute exercise tolerance in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats subjected to forced swimming. Horm Metab Res. Apr 2008;40(4):276-80. [Medline].

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  15. Ghilardi G, Gonvers JJ, So A. Hypothyroid myopathy as a complication of interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Br J Rheumatol. Dec 1998;37(12):1349-51. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  16. Obolonczyk L, Obolonczyk L, Siekierska-Hellmann M, et al. Side effects during interferon-alpha therapy of hepatitis C with special consideration of thyroid dysfunction. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). Jun 26 2007;62:309-21. [Medline].

  17. Takanami I, Imamuma T, Yamamoto Y, et al. The rapid transformation of hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism complicated by myasthenia gravis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. Sep 1995;110(3):852. [Medline].

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Further Reading

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Keywords

hypothyroid myopathy, polymyositis-like syndrome, polymyositislike syndrome, Hoffmann's syndrome, Hoffmann syndrome, Hoffman's syndrome, Hoffman syndrome, Kocher-Debre-Semelaigne syndrome, Kocher-Debré-Sémélaigne syndrome

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Paraplegia Society, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Diana M Echeverry, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Endocrinology, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Elizabeth A Moberg-Wolff, MD, Associate Professor and Pediatric PM&R Fellowship Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin; Program Director, Tone Management and Mobility, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Elizabeth A Moberg-Wolff, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Medtronic Neurological Grant/research funds Speaking and teaching

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Kat Kolaski, MD, Assistant Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Kat Kolaski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Kelly L Allen, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Lourdes Regional Rehabilitation Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Denise I Campagnolo, MD, MS, Director of Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research and Staff Physiatrist, Barrow Neurology Clinics, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; Investigator for Barrow Neurology Clinics; Director, NARCOMS Project for Consortium of MS Centers, Phoenix
Denise I Campagnolo, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Paraplegia Society, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
Disclosure: Teva Neuroscience Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Serono-Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching

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