title: Covert hypothyroidism presenting as a cardiovascular event.
abstract: Hypothyroidism presenting with classic signs and symptoms is generally easily recognized. Less often, patients with hypothyroidism may present with symptoms and laboratory abnormalities suggestive of cardiovascular disease. In this article, we describe six such patients. Hypothyroidism was suspected when creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels were persistently elevated. The diagnosis was confirmed by thyroid function tests, and thyroid hormone therapy resulted in resolution of symptoms and CPK elevations. Persistently elevated CPK levels associated with cardiovascular symptoms but without demonstrable myocardial damage should prompt consideration of covert hypothyroidism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: LeMar
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Hofeldt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D003402:Creatine Kinase