title: [Clinical and muscular evaluation in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism].
abstract: Some symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism, as well as some laboratory abnormalities, may be present in subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). This study evaluates the prevalence of signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and skeletal muscle dysfunction in 57 patients with SH compared to 37 euthyroid controls. The participants received a clinical score based on signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. The muscle strength was estimated by manual testing and chair dynamometer and inspiratory force by manuvacuometer. Thyroid hormones and muscle enzymes were measured. The SH group presented with higher score (p< 0.01), complained about myalgia and weakness more frequently (p< 0.05), and showed strength disability in scapular and pelvic girdles (p< 0.05). The median free T4 serum levels were lower in SH (p< 0.001). These findings suggest that signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction may be related to lower levels of FT4 in SH and should be taken into account in the decision of beginning LT4 therapy.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, BA. vaneskareuters@aol.com
authors.forename: Vaneska Spinelli
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Reuters
authors.forename: Alexandru
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buescu
authors.forename: Fabiola A Aarão
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Cloyra Paiva
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Patrícia F dos S
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Antônio J Leal
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Márcia Branco
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wagman
authors.forename: Márcia Martins
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Carmen Lucia N
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaisman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000201:enzymology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D003402:Creatine Kinase; D013974:Thyroxine