Home > Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders > Thyrotoxic Myopathy

Definition

Thyrotoxic myopathy is a neuromuscular disorder that occurs due to overproduction of thyroid hormone and is characterized by excessive fatigability, muscle wasting and weakness. It mainly affects muscles of the shoulder, hips and hands. The adverse effects of thyroid hormone on the structure and function of muscles gives rise to this myopathy. Although diagnosis can be tricky, this disorder is reversible with appropriate treatment.

Description

Thyrotoxic myopathy is known by several other names like hyperthyroid myopathy, Graves and Basedow's myopathy or Basedow paraplegia. It was first recognized in the early nineteenth century by Graves and Von Basedow as occurring infrequently in severe hyperthyroidism. In the middle of the twentieth century, researchers found that up to 80% of hyperthyroid patients manifested at least...