title: Parkinson's disease and thyroid dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although no causal linkage between hypothyroidism and Parkinson's disease (PD) has been demonstrated so far, both share common manifestations and coexistence can be a source of diagnostic delay and confusion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess thyroid function in patients with PD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-five PD patients and 102 age-matched controls were assessed for hypothyroidism through clinical evaluation and laboratory screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the PD group 13.7% were hypothyroid versus 10.8% in the control group. Statistical analysis did not show a significant difference (p = 0.3681).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although hypothyroidism was not more prevalent in our PD patients in comparison with the control group, we believe that given the potential overlap of symptoms and signs, thyroid function should be assessed in patients showing worsening of symptoms that cannot be explained by disease progression or resistance to therapy adjustment; screening should take into account the particular acute effect of levodopa on serum TSH levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Rua General Carneiro 181, 12th floor, 80060-900 Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renato P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Munhoz
authors.forename: Helio A G
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Teive
authors.forename: André R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Troiano
authors.forename: Patrícia R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hauck
authors.forename: Maria H B
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Herdoiza Leiva
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Graff
authors.forename: Lineu C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Werneck
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D007980:Levodopa; D013972:Thyrotropin