Neuropathy in Newly Diagnosed Hyperthyroid Patients: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Hyperthyroidism is a common endocrinologic disorder affecting many organ systems. Several neurological diseases like acute and chronic myopathy, periodic paralysis, ophthalmoplegia, and rarely myasthenia gravis are known associations of thyrotoxicosis. However, neuropathy in hyperthyroidism is not frequently reported. Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of neuropathy in hyperthyroid patients. Methods: 60 patients of hyperthyroidism were included in the study, detailed history and clinical examination was performed. 60 normal subjects were included as a control. Nerve Conduction Studies were performed in neurophysiology lab of Physiology dept of JNMC Aligarh. Result: While comparing motor conduction parameters of hyperthyroid patients with the control group, NCV and Latencies do not show a significant difference, while the Amplitude of the Median Nerve in both the limbs shows a significant decrease. On comparing Sensory conduction parameters of hyperthyroid patients with the control group, the amplitude of the Median Nerve, Sural Nerve shows a significant decrease, while latencies of Median Nerve and Sural Nerve is increased in hyperthyroid patients. Conclusion: Our study indicates predominant sensorimotor axonal neuropathy in newly diagnosed hyperthyroid patients. We suggest neurological investigation should be included at the time of diagnosis in these patients.