Hypothyroid Myopathy: A Commonly Missed Complication of Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Christian de Souza, Shay Hasan, Adam Hoffmann and Babajide Adio

Muscle disease is a known complication of hyperthyroidism as well as hypothyroidism. The muscle disease is associated with elevated creatine kinase and pain. This the case of a 63-year-old female who presented to the ED from her cancer therapy with elevated creatine kinase of 2,000 IU/L (International units/Liter). She reports muscle pain in her shoulders and hips for the past 3 days. Patient was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and has started on levothyroxine 75 mcg. Her Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) stays elevated at 65 IU (international units). Other autoimmune causes of elevated creatine kinase were excluded via testing, leaving hypothyroid myopathy as the only possible probable cause of this patient elevated creatine kinase. Muscle pain and creatine kinase should resolve with proper levothyroxine dose and compliance to therapy when patient becomes euthyroid. Unfortunately, the patient passed away from complications related to fall.

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