The Importance of Hypothyroidism Screening Before Initiating Statin Therapy: A Case of Rhabdomyolysis
Author(s):
Vittoria Gammaldi, Antonietta De Sena, Carmine Fierarossa, Ludovica F. S, Grasso, Serena Ippolito, Ornella Romano, Vincenzo Nuzzo and Paolo Tirelli
Rhabdomyolysis (RM) is a clinical syndrome characterized by breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue that causes the release of various substances (such as myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aldolase, potassium ions) into the bloodstream. It can range from asymptomatic, with isolated serum elevation of CK, to a life-threatening condition. RM can be considered a complication of hypothyroidism and can occur while taking statin medications. Given this association, it is essential to screen patients' thyroid status before initiating statin therapy. We describe the case of a 67-year-old man who had an episode of rhabdomyolysis while on statin therapy and with an undiagnosed severe hypothyroidism.