Hoffmann's Syndrome: A Rare Complication of Hypothyroidism

Up to 80% of patients with hypothyroidism present with neuromuscular symptoms. We report the case of a 56-year-old male with a two-year history of symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism, which worsened over the last five months, with difficulty walking, muscle rigidity, and cramps. Laboratory tests c...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Paz-Ibarra, José Luis, Concepción-Zavaleta, Marcio, Fuentes-Mendoza, Jenyfer María, Gonzales-Valdivieso, Roger, Taniguchi-Lock, Mayumi Katherine, Concepción-Urteaga, Luis, Quiroz-Aldave, Juan Eduardo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:Perú
Institución:Cuerpo Médico Hospital Nacional Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo
Repositorio:Revista del Cuerpo Médico Hospital Nacional Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:cmhnaaa_ojs_cmhnaaa.cmhnaaa.org.pe:article/2730
Acceso en línea:https://cmhnaaa.org.pe/ojs/index.php/rcmhnaaa/article/view/2730
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Enfermedades Musculares
Hipotiroidismo
Mixedema
Creatina Quinasa
Informes de Caso
Muscular Diseases
Hypothyroidism
Myxedema
Creatine Kinase
Case Reports
Descripción
Sumario:Up to 80% of patients with hypothyroidism present with neuromuscular symptoms. We report the case of a 56-year-old male with a two-year history of symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism, which worsened over the last five months, with difficulty walking, muscle rigidity, and cramps. Laboratory tests confirmed primary hypothyroidism with elevated creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Following treatment with levothyroxine, the clinical and biochemical response was favorable. Hoffmann syndrome, an atypical form of hypothyroid myopathy, is rare and primarily affects males with long-standing hypothyroidism. It is characterized by pseudohypertrophy and progressive muscle weakness, affecting less than 10% of hypothyroid patients. The pathogenesis is thought to involve alterations in the IGF1–PI3K–Akt/mTOR and myostatin-Smad3 pathways. Treatment with levothyroxine normalizes hormonal and CK levels within weeks; however, muscle recovery may be slower, varying with the severity of the condition.