Complications of hypothyroidism: a series of 67 cases

Kacem Akid Faten Haj; Salah Raida Ben; Siddiqa Soomauroo; Missaoui Abdel Mouhaymen; Sarra Chouaib; Mouna Mnif; Sameh Marzouk; Zouheir Bahloul; Mohamed Abid

doi:10.1530/endoabs.90.EP1027

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Endocrine Abstracts (2023) 90 EP1027 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.90.EP1027

ECE2023 Eposter Presentations Thyroid (128 abstracts)

Complications of hypothyroidism: a series of 67 cases

Faten Haj Kacem Akid ¹ , Raida Ben Salah ² , Siddiqa Soomauroo ¹ , Abdel Mouhaymen Missaoui ¹ , Sarra Chouaib ¹ , Mouna Mnif ¹ , Sameh Marzouk ² , Zouheir Bahloul ² & Mohamed Abid ¹

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¹Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Sfax, Tunisia, ²Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Sfax, Tunisia

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a consequence of thyroid hormone deficiency which may be of peripheral or central origin. If hypothyroidism is left untreated, the symptoms progress and lead to life-threatening complications.

Patients and method: Retrospective study of 67 patients with primary hypothyroidism. We determined the different complications associated with hypothyroidism.

Results: We collected 67 patients with overt hypothyroidism. The mean age was 38.76 years. There were 57 women and 10 men. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was the retained etiology in all patients. The mean TSH level was 48.12μUI/l. The mean FT4 level was 7.07 pmol/l. Anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were positive in 62 and 41 patients respectively. Sixteen patients had complications. The most frequent complications were anaemia and dyslipidaemia in 11 patients each, followed by neuromuscular complications in 8 patients such as myopathy, muscle induration and Hashimoto’s encephalitis. Other complications were cardiovascular such as pericarditis in 2 patients, sleep apnea syndrome in one patient and myxedema coma in one patient.

Discussion/Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder. The complications can be minor or major. Untreated hypothyroidism leads to serious consequences such as myxedema coma which is rare but life-threatening. Treatment is based on L-thyroxine replacement therapy.