Abstract
We describe a 60-year-old woman complaining of severe burning feet for 3 months. A neurological examination showed absent Achilles tendon reflexes; nerve conduction study demonstrated mild sensory neuropathy, and skin biopsy revealed a length-dependent loss of intraepidermal nerve fibres. Haematological exams demonstrated a subclinical hypothyroidism and hormone replacement therapy was started. Conversely, symptomatic treatments for neuropathic pain were withdrawn after few days because of side effects. During the following months, thyroid function recovered, and the patient experienced a progressive decrease of neuropathic pain intensity. At 6- and 12-month follow-ups, nerve conduction study and clinical examination were normal, whereas skin biopsy demonstrated a complete reinnervation of the epidermis. Subclinical hypothyroidism is a possible cause of sensory neuropathy and hormone replacement therapy can prompt nerve regeneration.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 149-151 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Neurological Sciences |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Nerve conduction study
- Nerve regeneration
- Painful neuropathy
- Skin biopsy
- Thyroid
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Dermatology
Cite this
Painful neuropathy in subclinical hypothyroidism : Clinical and neuropathological recovery after hormone replacement therapy. / Penza, Paola; Lombardi, Raffaella; Camozzi, Francesca; Ciano, Claudia; Lauria, Giuseppe.
In: Neurological Sciences, Vol. 30, No. 2, 2009, p. 149-151.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Painful neuropathy in subclinical hypothyroidism
T2 - Clinical and neuropathological recovery after hormone replacement therapy
AU - Penza, Paola
AU - Lombardi, Raffaella
AU - Camozzi, Francesca
AU - Ciano, Claudia
AU - Lauria, Giuseppe
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - We describe a 60-year-old woman complaining of severe burning feet for 3 months. A neurological examination showed absent Achilles tendon reflexes; nerve conduction study demonstrated mild sensory neuropathy, and skin biopsy revealed a length-dependent loss of intraepidermal nerve fibres. Haematological exams demonstrated a subclinical hypothyroidism and hormone replacement therapy was started. Conversely, symptomatic treatments for neuropathic pain were withdrawn after few days because of side effects. During the following months, thyroid function recovered, and the patient experienced a progressive decrease of neuropathic pain intensity. At 6- and 12-month follow-ups, nerve conduction study and clinical examination were normal, whereas skin biopsy demonstrated a complete reinnervation of the epidermis. Subclinical hypothyroidism is a possible cause of sensory neuropathy and hormone replacement therapy can prompt nerve regeneration.
AB - We describe a 60-year-old woman complaining of severe burning feet for 3 months. A neurological examination showed absent Achilles tendon reflexes; nerve conduction study demonstrated mild sensory neuropathy, and skin biopsy revealed a length-dependent loss of intraepidermal nerve fibres. Haematological exams demonstrated a subclinical hypothyroidism and hormone replacement therapy was started. Conversely, symptomatic treatments for neuropathic pain were withdrawn after few days because of side effects. During the following months, thyroid function recovered, and the patient experienced a progressive decrease of neuropathic pain intensity. At 6- and 12-month follow-ups, nerve conduction study and clinical examination were normal, whereas skin biopsy demonstrated a complete reinnervation of the epidermis. Subclinical hypothyroidism is a possible cause of sensory neuropathy and hormone replacement therapy can prompt nerve regeneration.
KW - Nerve conduction study
KW - Nerve regeneration
KW - Painful neuropathy
KW - Skin biopsy
KW - Thyroid
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=63749128283&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=63749128283&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10072-009-0026-x
DO - 10.1007/s10072-009-0026-x
M3 - Article
C2 - 19214379
AN - SCOPUS:63749128283
VL - 30
SP - 149
EP - 151
JO - Neurological Sciences
JF - Neurological Sciences
SN - 1590-1874
IS - 2
ER -