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Muscle carnitine in hypo‐ and hyperthyroidism
Author(s) -
Sinclair Christopher,
Gilchrist James M.,
Hennessey James V.,
Kandula Manju
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.20336
Subject(s) - carnitine , euthyroid , medicine , endocrinology , muscle weakness , myopathy , skeletal muscle , thyroid , weakness , surgery
Weakness is common in both hyper‐ and hypothyroidism, and skeletal muscle L ‐carnitine may play a role in this regard, as suggested by studies indicating abnormal levels of carnitine in serum and urine of patients with thyroid dysfunction. Skeletal muscle samples were obtained for carnitine analysis from control subjects, and from hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients before and after treatment. There was a significant reduction in carnitine, especially the esterified portion, in hyperthyroid individuals, with a return to normal as euthyroid status was regained. In hypothyroid patients, there was a trend for carnitine to be lower than normal and for improvement once euthyroid status was attained. Our data indicate that muscle carnitine levels are affected by both hypo‐ and hyperthyroidism. A decrease in muscle carnitine in both conditions may contribute to thyroid myopathy. Muscle Nerve, 2005