myxedema
Myxedema. It is a life-threatening condition, the result of long-term, undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Its signs and symptoms include intense cold intolerance and drowsiness followed by profound lethargy and unconsciousness.
The hormone whose production is inadequate in myxedema is thyroid hormone, specifically thyroxine (T4). Myxedema is a severe form of hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This leads to a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and dry skin.
Thyroid diasease
A decreased production of thyroid stimulating hormones can cause thickening and swelling of the skin. Myxedema is caused by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the skin. Glycosaminoglycans causes excessive skin swelling, which is the primary characteristic of myxedema. Besides thickening and swelling of the skin, symptoms of myxedema are similar to hypothyroidism such as weight gain, fatigue, depression, brittle hair, and dry skin.Related Article: Definition: What Is Myxedema?
A potentially life-threatening complication of myxedema is myxedema coma, which is associated with severe longstanding hypothyroidism. Myxedema coma is not common, but has been known to be most prevalent in the elderly and in women.
A decreased production of thyroid stimulating hormones can cause thickening and swelling of the skin. Myxedema is caused by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the skin. Glycosaminoglycans causes excessive skin swelling, which is the primary characteristic of myxedema. Besides thickening and swelling of the skin, symptoms of myxedema are similar to hypothyroidism such as weight gain, fatigue, depression, brittle hair, and dry skin.
When the thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid stimulating hormones it becomes underactive, which is also known as hypothyroidism. Myxedema is a condition associated with hypothyroidism; a decreased production of thyroid stimulating hormones can cause thickening and swelling of the skin. A potentially life-threatening complication of myxedema is myxedema coma, which is associated with severe longstanding hypothyroidism. Myxedema coma is not common, but has been known to be most prevalent in the elderly and in women.Since myxedema coma occurs when a thyroid patient is enduring poorly controlled hypothyroidism other symptoms can include low body temperature, mental changes, swelling in extremities, difficulty breathing, and metabolic blood test abnormalities.
Myxedema in adults is caused by deficiency of thyroid hormone, specifically thyroxine (T4), and to a lesser extent, triiodothyronine (T3). This deficiency leads to slowing of body functions, resulting in symptoms like dry skin, hair loss, and puffiness of the face and hands.
A decreased production of thyroid stimulating hormones can cause thickening and swelling of the skin. Myxedema is caused by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the skin. Glycosaminoglycans causes excessive skin swelling, which is the primary characteristic of myxedema.
There are certain health factors that can trigger myxedema coma. Besides poorly controlled hypothyroidism the onset of a myxedema coma can result from infection, hypothermia, not taking thyroid medication properly, or other severe health factors.
myxedema