Painful Neuropathy in Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism usually is listed as an uncommon cause of peripheral neuropathy. To characterize neuropathic pain among patients with hypothyroidism, Norwegian neurologists recruited (through an internet site and an endocrinology department) 38 women with treated hypothyroidism, unexplained pain in the extremities, and no other diagnosis known to cause peripheral neuropathy. Hypothyroidism was generally longstanding (mean period of treatment, 8 years). All had normal levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) and vitamin B₁₂.

About half of the patients had pain in glove or stocking distributions, described variably as burning, pricking, aching, or pressing. All patients and 38 healthy age-matched controls underwent physical examinations and la…