Peripheral Neuropathy in Hypothyroid Patients: Clinical and Biochemical Correlation

Abstract

Objective:  The purpose of the study was to find the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in hypothyroid patients and to identify the relationship between the level of thyroid hormone and the neurological symptoms.

Materials & Methods:  The proposed observational study was carried out at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Consecutive sampling was used to select a total of 160 patients aged 18 to 70 years who were confirmed to have hypothyroidism. Neuropathic symptoms were clinically assessed by conducting a detailed neurological examination. All patients were measured in regard to serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, and triiodothyronine. The conduction studies of nerves were conducted in individuals who presented with possible symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between the level of neuropathy and thyroid hormones.

Results:  A significant number of patients had their peripheral symptoms of neuropathy. Paresthesia was the most common, and then burning sensation and muscle weakness. Conduction studies on nerves indicated that 42.5 percent of patients had neuropathy. There existed a marked positive relationship between high levels of TSH and the severity of neuropathy, and neuropathy had a negative relationship with free T4 and T3 levels.

Conclusion:  Peripheral neuropathy is a prevalent neurological complication in patients with hypothyroidism and has a great association with biochemical thyroid dysfunction. Management of hypothyroidism early can help in the prevention of complications of neuropathy and a better neurological outcome