Subclinical Hypothyroidism Does Not Lead to Alterations Either in Peripheral Nerves or in Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEPs)

Functional alterations in the central nervous system and peripheral nerves are well documented in overt hypothyroidism, but not in subclinical hypothyroidism. Twenty-seven patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were compared with a control group of 20 age- and sex-matched subjects to determine whether subclinical hypothyroidism can lead to alterations in peripheral nerves or in the brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). None of the patients had carpal tunnel syndrome or any other neurological or metabolic disturbances. Disease duration (expressed as the time from diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism to the time of neurological testing) ranged from less than 1 month to 6 months (median 2.5 months). We studied the distal motor latency, nerve conduction velocity (NCV), compound muscle action potentials, and F response in the median and peroneal nerves whereas the sensory nerve conduction velocity and sensory potential amplitude were measured in the sural and median nerves. Electrophysiological parameters and interpeak latencies yielded no significant difference between patient and control groups. The present study indicates that subclinical hypothyroidism of short duration does not lead to abnormalities of peripheral nerves or brainstem auditory evoked potentials.