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Author Spotlight: Accurately Assessing Thyroid Hormone-Driven Motor Alterations in Mouse
04:05

Author Spotlight: Accurately Assessing Thyroid Hormone-Driven Motor Alterations in Mouse

Published on: October 6, 2023

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Unilateral upper limb chorea associated with hyperthyroidism: A case report and literature review

Wei Chen1, Bin Wu1, Hongna An1

  • 1Department of Neurology, The Second People's Hospital of Quzhou, Quzhou, China.

Frontiers in Neurology
|January 9, 2023
PubMed

Insights

This case study highlights that chorea, involuntary movements, can be an early sign of hyperthyroidism. Prompt thyroid function tests are recommended for patients presenting with chorea to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Chorea is a hyperkinetic movement disorder often associated with Huntington's disease and hyperglycemia.
  • Grave's disease, a form of hyperthyroidism, can occasionally present with chorea.

Observation:

  • A 44-year-old woman with a history of primary hyperthyroidism presented with a year of involuntary movements.
  • Physical examination confirmed choreic movements in her right arm, characterized by rapid, irregular, and spontaneous motions.

Findings:

  • Laboratory results showed elevated triiodothyronine (T3) and free thyroxine (FT4) with suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), confirming hyperthyroidism.
  • Electroencephalogram and brain MRI were normal, ruling out structural brain abnormalities.

Implications:

  • This case suggests hemichorea can be an initial manifestation of hyperthyroidism.
  • Routine thyroid function testing is crucial for patients with chorea to identify underlying thyroid dysfunction.

Keywords:
Graves' diseasechoreahyperthyroidisminitial presentationinvoluntary movement

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