10 Myxedema Symptoms

By chris

Reviewed: dr. stavarache

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid).' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 19 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284.[](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284)
• 2. CR;, Wall. 'Myxedema Coma: Diagnosis and Treatment.' American Family Physician, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11130234/
• 3. Junuzović-Žunić, Lejla, et al. 'Voice Characteristics in Patients with Thyroid Disorders.' The Eurasian Journal of Medicine, The Eurasian Journal of Medicine, June 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6592446/
• 4. S;, Tagoe CE;Zezon A;Khattri. 'Rheumatic Manifestations of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: the Other Autoimmune Disease.' The Journal of Rheumatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22505695/

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Myxedema is a complication of extended, untreated hypothyroidism, which is caused by the thyroid gland's failure to produce enough of the hormones the body needs.¹‘Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid).’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 19 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284. If thyroid problems continue without a diagnosis for long enough, they can pose a serious threat for the patient. However, not all thyroid issues result in myxedema, so being able to identify the symptoms is critical.

Patients with myxedema symptoms may be facing a severe health issue and should consult a qualified physician right away. Myxedema can be a life-threatening condition, and its symptoms can rapidly progress from troubling to extremely serious.

Unresponsiveness and Coma

One of the rarest but most serious symptoms of myxedema is unresponsiveness and coma. When this happens, patients have an advanced stage of myxedema that may be life-threatening. It's more common in elderly female patients, and they may begin to lose mobility prior to the coma.²CR;, Wall. ‘Myxedema Coma: Diagnosis and Treatment.’ American Family Physician, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11130234/ At the onset of the coma, the patient's responsiveness decreases until they are unresponsive.

Myxedema comas commonly have specific events beforehand that seem related to the coma. This event may be an infection or serious medical procedure. While the coma is rare, it most typically occurs in elderly women during the winter.