Neuromuscular complications of thyrotoxicosis

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2007 Nov;67(5):645-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.02909.x. Epub 2007 Jun 11.

Abstract

Thyroid hormones exert multiple effects on the neuromuscular system and the brain, with the most important being their role in stimulating the development and differentiation of the neuromuscular system and brain in foetal and neonatal life. In the presence of hyperthyroidism, muscular and neurological symptoms may be the presenting clinical features of the disease. The frequency and severity of neuromuscular complications vary considerably and are probably related to the degree of hyperthyroidism, although in some patients the neuromuscular dysfunction is caused by associated disorders rather than by hyperthyroidism per se. This update focuses on the most common neurological and muscular disorders that occur in patients with thyrotoxicosis. It is beyond the scope of this paper to discuss thyroid eye disease and cardiac complications, in themselves separate complications of specific myocytes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antithyroid Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperthyroidism / complications*
  • Hyperthyroidism / drug therapy
  • Hyperthyroidism / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / etiology*
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / psychology
  • Thyrotoxicosis / complications*
  • Thyrotoxicosis / drug therapy
  • Thyrotoxicosis / psychology
  • Tremor / drug therapy
  • Tremor / etiology

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Antithyroid Agents