A study of peripheal nervous system alterations in hypothyroid patients

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder of deficient thyroid hormone levels in the circulation. Thyroid hormones are essential for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. One of the manifestations of the hypothyroidism is the peripheral neuropathy. Methods: This cross sectional study includes 30 hypothyroid patients and 30 normal subjects between the age group of 20 to 60 years. The nerve conduction study was done by using Recorders Medicare System (RMS) EMG EPM2K version-1. Three parameters (latency, amplitude and nerve conduction velocity) of motor and sensory component of three nerves (Median nerve, Ulnar nerve and Peroneal nerve) were compared between cases (Hypothyroidism) and controls (non hypothyroid). Statistical analysis was done by unpaired ‘t’ test and ANOVA with SPSS software for various analysis. Results: The nerve conduction velocity is reduced in right median, right and left ulnar and left common peroneal nerves. The latency is prolonged in the right and left ulnar nerve as well as in the peroneal (both right and left) nerve. The amplitude of the nerve conduction action potential of the all the nerves is not significantly reduced. The sensory nerve conduction velocity of the sural nerve is reduced in our present study.