Yonsei Med J.  2013 Jan;54(1):172-176. 10.3349/ymj.2013.54.1.172.

Rare Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Hypothyroidism-Induced Rhabdomyolysis

• Cai Y
• Tang L

• KMID: 1776934
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2013.54.1.172

Abstract

PURPOSE
Acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by hypothyroidism-induced rhabdomyolysis is a rare and potentially life-threatening syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of such patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed five patients treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University with AKI secondary to hypothyroidism-induced rhabdomyolysis from January 2006 to December 2010.
RESULTS
Of the five cases reviewed (4 males, age range of 37 to 62 years), adult primary hypothyroidism was caused by amiodarone (1 case), chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (1 case), and by uncertain etiologies (3 cases). All patients presented with facial and lower extremity edema. Three patients presented with weakness, while two presented with blunted facies and oliguria. Only one patient reported experiencing myalgia and proximal muscle weakness, in addition to fatigue and chills. Creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and renal function normalized after thyroid hormone replacement, except in two patients who improved through blood purification.
CONCLUSION
Hypothyroidism should be considered in patients presenting with renal impairment associated with rhabdomyolysis. Moreover, further investigation into the etiology of the hypothyroidism is warranted.

Keyword

Acute kidney injury; hypothyroidism; rhabdomyolysis

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury/*etiology/therapy
Adult
Amiodarone/adverse effects
Creatine Kinase/blood
Female
Humans
Hypothyroidism/*complications
Kidney Function Tests
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/blood
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Rhabdomyolysis/diagnosis/*etiology
Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/complications
Treatment Outcome
Vasodilator Agents/adverse effects
Vasodilator Agents
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
Creatine Kinase
Amiodarone

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