What are the signs and symptoms of myxedema?
Myxedema Coma SymptomsWeakness or lethargy.Confusion or non-responsiveness.Feeling cold.Low body temperature.Swelling of the body, especially the face, tongue, and lower legs.Difficulty breathing.
What happens in myxedema coma?
Myxedema coma is an extreme complication of hypothyroidism in which patients exhibit multiple organ abnormalities and progressive mental deterioration. The term myxedema is often used interchangeably with hypothyroidism and myxedema coma.
What triggers myxedema coma?
Myxedema coma occurs as a result of long-standing, undiagnosed, or undertreated hypothyroidism and is usually precipitated by a systemic illness. Myxedema coma can result from any of the causes of hypothyroidism, most commonly chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.
Which problem commonly occurs with myxedema?
Myxedema is associated with other symptoms of underactive thyroid, also called hypothyroidism, including lethargy, weight gain, fatigue, depression, and cold sensitivity, among others.
Which is a characteristic of a patient with myxedema?
It often is possible to diagnose myxedema on clinical grounds alone. Characteristic symptoms are weakness, cold intolerance, mental and physical slowness, dry skin, typical facies, and hoarse voice. Results of the total serum thyroxine and free thyroxine index tests usually will confirm the diagnosis.
Can you survive myxedema coma?
Patients in myxedema coma present with very low body temperature, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, change in mental status/unarousable and other symptoms related to poor function of many organs. If not treated promptly, many patients do not survive.
How long does a myxedema coma last?
People with myxedema coma need admission to an intensive care unit, where they can get continual monitoring and treatment. Mortality rates are high — as high as 60% in some cases — and recovery can take weeks.
What does myxedema look like?
The classic skin changes are: swelling of your face, which can include your lips, eyelids, and tongue. swelling and thickening of skin anywhere on your body, especially in your lower legs.
When is hypothyroidism an emergency?
This makes the thyroid storm a life-threatening emergency which calls for immediate attention best attended at the emergency rooms. Other symptoms include confusion, body weakness, nausea, an irregular heart that can cause heart failure, vomiting. If the condition is not treated immediately, it can cause death.
Which person is most likely to experience a myxedema coma?
Causes. Anyone with hypothyroidism, a history of neck surgery, or radioactive iodine treatment could be at risk for this life-threatening complication. However, there are some higher risk groups, according to Dr. Leanna Poston, such as older women (over the age of 60) who have a history of primary hypothyroidism.
Which of the following findings is most likely in a patient who has myxedema?
Which of the following findings is most likely in a patient who has myxedema? Answer: A) Somnolence is a common feature of hypothyroidism. Palpitations, increased respiratory rate, increased cardiac output, and weight loss are all associated with hyperthyroidism.
Can your thyroid put you in a coma?
Myxedema (crisis) coma is a loss of brain function as a result of the severe, longstanding low level of thyroid hormone in the blood (hypothyroidism). Myxedema coma is considered a rare life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism and represents one of the more serious sides of thyroid disease.
What happens when your thyroid is dangerously low?
In very rare cases, a severe underactive thyroid may lead to a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma. This is where the thyroid hormone levels become very low, causing symptoms such as confusion, hypothermia and drowsiness. Myxoedema coma requires emergency treatment in hospital.
What does the medical term myxedema mean?
Medical Definition of myxedema : severe hypothyroidism characterized by firm inelastic edema, dry skin and hair, and loss of mental and physical vigor.
Is Graves hypo or hyper?
Thyroid gland Graves' disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). Although a number of disorders may result in hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease is a common cause.
Is myxedema an autoimmune disorder?
One manifestation of myxedema occurring in the lower limb is pretibial myxedema, a hallmark of Graves disease, an autoimmune form of hyperthyroidism. Myxedema can also occur in Hashimoto thyroiditis and other long-standing forms of hypothyroidism.