Myxoedema

Myxedema is also the name of a skin condition linked to severe hypothyroidism. It causes swelling and thickened skin, especially in your lower legs. Other symptoms may be dark patches or yellowed skin. Myxedema coma is most common when severe hypothyroidism has gone untreated for a long time. It rarely leads to a • Altered mental status: You may be lethargic, sleep a lot, and have episodes of reduced consciousness for a few months, then eventually enter a coma. • Defective temperature regulation ( • Triggering event: It takes ongoing hypothyroidism plus another event to trigger this crisis. This trigger may be cold exposure, Summary Myxedema coma results from long-term, untreated hypothyroidism plus a triggering event that strains the body’s resources. This causes multiple systems and organs to slow down, leading to lethargy, excessive sleep, and possibly loss of consciousness. The best way to prevent myxedema coma is to have your thyroid condition diagnosed and treated early. A Word From Verywell Myxedema coma is a potentially life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism. It’s more likely to happen if your thyroid condition is not managed. If you have signs of hypothyroidism, talk to your doctor about your concerns. Getting diagnosed and treated early can significantly reduce your risk of having myxedema coma. If you or someone you know is having symptoms that could point to myxedema coma, get medical help immediately. The sooner you act, the better the chance of recov...

Myxedema coma, also known as myxedema crisis, is a complication of advanced hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This article explores how hypothyroidism causes myxedema coma, before detailing its symptoms, causes, treatment, and diagnosis. Myxedema coma occurs when the body can no longer tolerate the effects of hypothyroidism. When thyroid hormone levels become extremely low, a person may experience the following • confusion or mental slowness • • decreased breathing • low blood oxygen levels • high blood carbon dioxide levels • lower than usual blood sodium levels • shock • seizures • coma Myxedema coma is a result of untreated or undiagnosed hypothyroidism. However, some contributing factors may trigger myxedema coma sooner in some people. These • infection • exposure to cold • stopping hypothyroid treatment medication • • trauma • sudden illness, such as If anyone has hypothyroidism, it is important that they try and keep warm. People should also contact their doctor if an infection, such as a urinary tract infection, takes longer to clear than expected. A doctor can measure T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels However, they will likely start with immediate hormone replacement treatment while waiting for the test results based on other symptoms. These symptoms may include: • sparse hair • dry skin • confusion • • a possible scar from thyroid surgery • hypothermia • decreased breathing • swe...

Medical condition Pretibial myxedema Hands showing related condition Pretibial myxedema ( myxoedema in British English, also known as Graves' dermopathy, thyroid dermopathy, Jadassohn-Dösseker disease or myxoedema tuberosum) is an Signs and symptoms [ ] Pretibial myxedema is almost always preceded by the ocular signs found in Graves' disease. peau d'orange (orange peel) appearance—on the The Risk factors [ ] There are suggestions in the medical literature that treatment with radioactive iodine for Graves' hyperthyroidism may be a trigger for pretibial myxedema Other known triggers for ophthalmopathy include thyroid hormone imbalance, and Diagnosis [ ] A Management [ ] Many cases of pretibial myxedema, particularly cases that are mild, can be managed without specific pharmacologic treatment; approximately 50% of mild cases achieve complete remission without treatment after several years. When pharmacologic treatment is considered, topical, locally injected, or systemic corticosteroids may be used. References [ ] • Schwartz, K. M.; Vahab Fatourechi; Debra D. F. Ahmed; Gregory R. Pond (1 February 2002). "Dermopathy of Graves' Disease (Pretibial Myxedema): Long-Term Outcome". Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 87 (2): 438–446. • Prajapati VH, Mydlarski PR (March 2008). Can Fam Physician. 54 (3): 357, 369. • Dennis, Mark; Bowen, William Talbot; Cho, Lucy (2012). Mechanisms of Clinical Signs. Elsevier. p.550. 978-0729540759; pbk {{ • Rongioletti F, Rebora A (2007). ...

What is the immune system? The molecules, and structures that defend the body from infectionsand monitor for tissue damage [1]. Immune responses can be divided into innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity Innate immunity describes generalised measures to ward off infection. These include: • Physical barriers, such as the skin and mucous membranes, which stop the majority of microorganisms entering [2] • White blood cells, such as macrophages, which recognise microorganisms and release chemicals to stimulate and attract other immune cells • Neutrophils, which envelope and digest invading microorganisms by a process called phagocytosis ( cellular ‘eating’). Innate immune responses are often accompanied by inflammation [3]. Adaptive immunity Adaptive immunity describes slower immune responses, including the production of immune cellsthat produce specific antibodies to target and remove a particular microorganism [1]. • In cell-mediated immunity, T lymphocytes are produced that are conditioned to eliminate intracellular pathogens (viruses and bacteria) [4]. • In humoral immunity, antibody-producing B lymphocytes deal with extracellular pathogens (bacteria in a polysaccharide capsule) [4]. Adaptive immunity results in the production of memory T lymphocytes (cells that have previously encountered an antigen and have "experience" fighting infections) and B lymphocytes (which produce antibodies) that are able to specifically target a particular infection. These lymp...

What is myxedema coma? Myxedema coma is a rare complication of severe hypothyroidism and a life-threatening medical emergency. Hypothyroidism is a relatively common condition involving the underproduction of hormones by the thyroid. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can be vague but involve fatigue, weight gain, constipation, and cold intolerance, among others. Symptoms of myxedema coma include altered mental status (possibly to the point of being unarousable), swelling, very low body temperature, low heart rate, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, and lung dysfunction. Treatment is needed immediately and will require medications to regulate thyroid levels and fluids and to address any underlying triggers, such as antibiotics for an infection. You should go to the ER immediately, where doctors will evaluate your blood, and if the diagnosis is confirmed, start you on treatment. Symptoms of myxedema coma Symptoms of myxedema coma are severe and people typically require treatment in the intensive care units of hospitals for pulmonary and vascular support. People who are not treated quickly often do not survive. Symptoms of hypothyroidism Symptoms of hypothyroidism are detailed below. Some people with hypothyroidism, however, are completely asymptomatic because other body systems compensate for the thyroid’s deficiencies. • Fatigue: Feeling tired easily and generally lacking energy • Weight gain: Gaining weight despite no major changes in diet or activity levels • Constipation: Bowel...

Myxedema refers to a severe form of hypothyroidism than can occur when the condition is left untreated or is not treated sufficiently. The term also applies to the effects that hypothyroidism can have on the skin, making it appear swollen and puffy. When thyroid hormone levels become extremely low, a person may experience symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, hypothermia, and changes to the skin. Myxedema in the context of the skin means that the skin swells and gains a waxy consistency. One life threatening complication of The mortality rate for myxedema crisis is between Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Share on Pinterest Maskot/Getty Images Myxedema occurs because of severe poorly managed or untreated hypothyroidism. A person may develop this complication if they do not seek care, stop taking their medication, or take the wrong dose of medication. • surgical removal of the thyroid • medications that affect the hormone system, such as some for cancer treatment • • other medications, including lithium, • autoimmune conditions, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis • iodine deficiency or an excess of iodine • pregnancy • sudden illness or infection Myxedema may refer to two separate conditions: the skin consequences of hypothyroidism (especially poorly controlled hypothyroidism) or a severe hypothyroid crisis. Skin myxedema Myxedema of the skin A person may have symptoms of thyroid d...

What is Hypothyroidism (Myxoedema)? Underactivity of the thyroid is called hypothyroidism. When the cause lies in the thyroid it is called primary hypothyroidism; when it is due to a lack of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) subsequent to pituitary failure, it is called secondary hypothyroidism. Primary hypothyroidism can be clinical or subclinical. Clinical hypothyroidism is when there are definite symptoms with a raised TSH outside the reference range and low serum thyroxine level. Some patients have few if any symptoms but have a serum TSH outside the reference range but have serum thyroxine levels within the reference range. These patients are said to be subclinically hypothyroid. Diagram illustrating classification of hypothyroidism - click to enlarge What are the causes of Primary Hypothyroidism? Primary hypothyroidism results from low levels of thyroid hormones in the circulation as a direct result of an underproduction by the thyroid gland itself. The main causes of primary hypothyroidism are given below. 1. Hashimoto's thyroiditisis the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It is six times more common in women than men and presents with all the symptoms of hypothyroidism.It may be associated with other endocrine organ deficiencies such as diabetes mellitus or Addison's disease (Schmidt's syndrome). The patients have a rubbery feeling thyroid and the thyroid function tests confirm hypothyroidism. The thyroid scan shows an irregular patchy uptake. Thyroid antibodies ...

Myxedema coma, the extreme manifestation of hypothyroidism, is an uncommon but potentially lethal condition. Patients with hypothyroidism may exhibit a number of physiologic alterations to compensate for the lack of thyroid hormone. If these homeostatic mechanisms are overwhelmed by factors such as infection, the patient may decompensate into myxedema coma. Patients with hypothyroidism typically have a history of fatigue, weight gain, constipation and cold intolerance. Physicians should include hypothyroidism in the differential diagnosis of every patient with hyponatremia. Patients with suspected myxedema coma should be admitted to an intensive care unit for vigorous pulmonary and cardiovascular support. Most authorities recommend treatment with intravenous levothyroxine (T 4) as opposed to intravenous liothyronine (T 3). Hydrocortisone should be administered until coexisting adrenal insufficiency is ruled out. Family physicians are in an important position to prevent myxedema coma by maintaining a high level of suspicion for hypothyroidism. 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. Myxedema also refers to the swelling of the skin and soft tissue that occurs in patients who are hypothyroid. Myxedema coma occurs when the body's compensatory responses to hypothyroidism are overwhe...

Article: • • • • • Terminology Occasionally myxedema is also used as a synonym for hypothyroidism or as a shortening for Historically the term myxedema has also been used for a localized form of skin thickening, especially of the shins (hence pretibial myxedema), seen in some forms of thyroid dermopathy 3. Clinical presentation Typically the edema is non-pitting in nature (cf. pitting edema of Pathology Pathologically, myxedema is due to a number of interrelated processes 3: • accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, primarily hyaluronic acid, which due to its highly polar nature, may attract more than 1000 times its own weight in water • mucin deposition • escape of albumin into the extracellular space • poor lymphatic drainage History and etymology Myxedema is derived from Greek roots. 'Myxo' comes from the Greek word μυξα (myxa) meaning mucus, and 'edema' from the Greek word οιδημα (oidema) meaning swelling 1,2.

Medical condition Myxedema coma deterioration of the patient's mental status Causes infections (especially pneumonia and urosepsis), certain medications, failure to reinstate thyroid replacement therapy Treatment admission to the intensive care unit, correct hypovolemia and electrolyte abnormalities, mechanical ventilation if needed, thyroid hormone replacement Myxedema coma is an extreme or [ citation needed] According to newer theories, myxedema coma could result from Causes [ ] Myxedema coma represents an extreme or decompensated form of hypothyroidism. Most cases occur in patients who have been previously diagnosed with hypothyroidism, yet in some cases, hypothyroidism may not have been previously identified. Common precipitating factors of myxedema coma include: • • Metabolic disruption including • Respiratory compromise including • Infections including • • • • • Medications including • Withdrawal of thyroid supplements, especially in relation to a hospitalization Other precipitating factors include: • Other medications including • • • • Consumption of raw • Pathophysiology [ ] The The most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide is too little dietary iodine. The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 influence the production by virtually all cells in the body of hundreds of new intracellular proteins and enzymes. This influence includes the expression of the Diagnosis [ ] Clinical features of myxedema coma: • Cardiovascular • • • • • Elevated diastolic blood pressure—early • • ...