Hypothyroidism is a predisposing factor for fenofibrate-induced rhabdomyolysis--patient report and literature review

A literature survey reveals that both lipid lowering drugs - statins and fibrates--and hypothyroidism are documented causes of muscle disorders including rhabdomyolysis leading to acute renal failure. We describe a case of fenofibrate monotherapy (Lipicard) induced dialysis dependent acute renal failure in an undiagnosed hypothyroid patient which is the first case to be reported from Sri Lanka. We strongly recommend that all patients who are receiving statins and/or fibrates should be screened for occult hypothyroidism which seems to aggravate the muscle damage due to the above drugs, with or without other risk factors.