[Hypothyroidism, hypocholesteremic agents and rhabdomyolysis]

The author report two cases of patients treated for several years for essential hypercholesterolaemia, in whom clinical and biological signs of rhabdomyolosis led to the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Hormone replacement therapy corrected thyroid function, the muscle enzyme levels and serum cholesterol without associated lipid lowering drugs. All lipid lowering drugs, apart from cholestyramine, can cause rhabdomyolysis, usually by overdosage, renal failure or hypoalbuminaemia. Hypothyroidism is a common cause of rhabomyolysis and hyper-cholesterolaemia and its association with lipid lowering drugs is an additional risk factor for rhabdomyolysis. The cause of rhabdomyolysis may be determined from simple biological tests and this is particularly important because it allows appropriate therapy.