What is myxedema caused by? Myxedema is a result of undiagnosed or untreated severe hypothyroidism. It can also develop when someone stops taking their thyroid medication. It’s more common in the elderly and in women.
What is myxedema caused by?
Myxedema is a result of undiagnosed or untreated severe hypothyroidism. It can also develop when someone stops taking their thyroid medication. It’s more common in the elderly and in women. Deposits of chains of sugar molecules (complex mucopolysaccharides) in the skin cause the skin condition myxedema.
What kind of shock is myxedema coma?
Myxedema coma is defined as severe hypothyroidism leading to decreased mental status, hypothermia, and other symptoms related to slowing of function in multiple organs. It is a medical emergency with a high mortality rate.
What is myxedema heart disease?
THE CLINICAL syndrome of “myxedema heart” consists of an enlarged sluggish heart with low electrical voltages and flattened or inverted T waves on the electrocardiogram, changes which are reversible with the administration of thyroid hormone.
How is myxedema diagnosed?
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.
How do I fix myxedema?
Treatment involves administering thyroid hormone replacement medication into a vein. Antibiotics, steroid treatment, and breathing support may be necessary also. A person may need breathing assistance, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) if carbon dioxide levels in the blood are very high.
What is a myxedema crisis?
Myxedema crisis is a life-threatening extreme form of hypothyroidism with a high mortality rate if left untreated. Myxedema crisis is commonly seen in older patients, especially women, and is associated with signs of hypothyroidism, hypothermia, hyponatremia, hypercarbia, and hypoxemia.
How do I know if I have pretibial myxedema?
It is usually asymptomatic and more of a cosmetic concern, but can be itchy or sore. Early lesions are bilateral, firm, non-pitting, asymmetrical plaques or nodules; they may coalesce to form scaly, thickened and hardened skin areas. Hair follicles are often prominent giving a peau d’orange (orange peel) texture.
How can I reverse myxedema?