Electroneuromyography and neuromuscular findings in 16 primary hypothyroidism patients

There has been few reports on electroneuromyography (ENMG) changes in hypothyroidism. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the frequency of ENMG abnormalities in hypothyroidism and correlate them with neurological signs and symptoms and muscle enzyme levels; and to compare latency, amplitude and nerve conduction velocity from selected nerves with controls. Sixteen patients suffering from primary hypothyroidism were submitted to ENMG before treatment. ENMG abnormalities were found in 87.5% of the patients; 46.6% had myopathy and 43.7% had carpal tunnel syndrome. There was no case of polyneuropathy. A clear-cut clinical, laboratorial and ENMG correlation was observed in patients with myopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. The patients showed a significant tendency of nerve conduction slowness as compared with controls. The findings are in accordance with the well-known nerve and muscle damage in hypothyroidism.