[Sleep apnea syndrome and hypothyroidism: apropos of a new case and a review of the literature].

We present the case of a 63 years old man (177 cm height, 111 kg weight) with autoimmune thyroiditis. He had a long term history of hypersomnolence and heavy snoring. Two years ago, because of a bifascicular block and sinus pauses, a cardiac pace-maker was placed. Polysomnography recording showed a systematic periodic breathing characterized by profound desaturation waves (often 92% Sa O2 to 60% Sa O2) every 60 seconds, secondary to prolonged mixed apneas. Hormone replacement therapy and a 17 kg weight loss completely suppressed the sleep apnea syndrome within five months. We conclude that SAS is a major component of the respiratory depression in hypothyroidism and that normalisation of thyroid function can definitely cure the patient.