October - December 2017, Volume 13, Issue 4

Aydin H, Findikli HA, Tutak AS, Aydin B, Algin A

Muscular Hypertrophy as Atypical Initial Presentation of Hypothyroidism

Acta Endo (Buc) 2017, 13 (4): 506-508
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2017.506

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disease with characteristic symptoms and signs such as fatigue, weight gain, intolerance of cold, constipation, depression, mental slowdown and muscle cramps. Myopathic changes are observed in 30-80% of patients with hypothyroidism, but muscular hypertrophy with muscle stiffness has been reported in less than 10% of patients. Hoffmann’s syndrome is a specific form of the hypothyroid-associated myopathy, rarely seen. Symptoms of this syndrome include proximal muscle weakness, hypertrophies in extremities, stiffness, muscle cramps, spontaneous muscle pain; and are associated with increased muscle enzymes. These findings can be seen at any time during hypothyroidism. Hofmann’s syndrome has a very good prognosis. Its response to hormone replacement therapy is very good. Therefore, in patients with myopathylike symptoms, considering in the differential diagnosis that the myopathy may be a reflection of hypothyroidism will facilitate the diagnosis and treatment. In this case, we aimed to present together Hashimoto thyroiditis and muscular hypertrophy, which is an atypical presentation of hypothyroidism and rarely seen in the literature, namely Hoffmann’s syndrome.

Keywords: Hypothyroidism, Myopathy, Muscular hypertrophy, Hoffmann’s syndrome.

Correspondence: Hakan Aydin MD, Adiyaman University Training and Research Hospital, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Adiyaman, 02040, Turkey, E-mail: hknydn@hotmail.com