Myxedema - Causes and Signs of Myxedema
Myxedema can develop as a result of primary or secondary hypothyroidism:
- primary hypothyroidism develops against the background of thyroid diseases;
- secondary hypothyroidism develops against the background of hypothalamic-pituitary pathology.
Causes
The main reason for the development of myxedema is a decrease in secret
Myxedema can develop as a result of primary or secondary hypothyroidism:
- primary hypothyroidism develops against the background of thyroid diseases;
- secondary hypothyroidism develops against the background of hypothalamic-pituitary pathology.
Causes
The main reason for the development of myxedema is a decrease in the secretion of thyroxine and triiodothyronine by the thyroid gland.
Also, the causes of myxedema are classified into primary and secondary.
Primary causes:
- decrease in the volume of functioning thyroid tissue;
- autoimmune thyroiditis;
- exposure to ionizing radiation;
- postoperative complications;
- infiltrative diseases of the thyroid gland;
- iodine deficiency;
- excess iodine.
Secondary causes:
- pituitary hypothyroidism;
- hypothalamic hypothyroidism.
Symptoms
With a long course of the disease, patients develop a typical "myxedematous" appearance, which is characterized by general swelling.
The face becomes puffy, mask-like, pale yellow in color with no facial expressions.
Symptoms are also expressed depending on affected organ or organ system.
Gastroenterological symptoms:
- chronic constipation;
- gallstone disease;
- chronic hepatitis;
- swollen tongue.
Rheumatological symptoms:
- polyarthritis;
- polysynovitis;
- progressive osteoarthritis.
Dermatological symptoms:
- alopecia;
- hair thinning, dullness and loss;
- hyperkeratosis;
- dryness skin;
- onycholysis.
Psychiatric symptoms:
- depression;
- apathy;
- lethargy;
- memory and concentration loss;
- drowsiness;
- slow speech (tongue "twisted" in the mouth);
- dementia.
Gynecological symptoms:
- dysfunctional uterine bleeding;
- infertility.
Cardiological symptoms:
- diastolic hypertension;
- dyslipidemia;
- hydropericardium.
Myxedema coma is an extremely severe condition in myxedema.
It usually develops in elderly patients with undiagnosed hypothyroidism, and can also occur as a result of infectious diseases, hypothermia, and injuries. Myxedema coma is manifested by a sharp decrease in body temperature, respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure, acute urinary retention, intestinal obstruction, heart failure, and CNS inhibition. The mortality rate of myxedema coma is 80%.
If any of the above symptoms are detected, a consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary, followed by examination and diagnosis.
Diagnostics
An endocrinologist diagnoses myxedema.
The main diagnostic methods for myxedema are:
- objective examination of the patient, palpation, percussion, analysis of complaints;
- hormonal studies of TSH and T4 levels;
- ultrasound of the thyroid gland (assessment of the size of the gland and nodular formations);
- scintigraphy (assessment of the total capture and functional activity of nodular formations, detection of ectopic thyroid tissue);
- puncture biopsy (cytological examination of thyroid tissue);
- Thyroid MRI;
- diagnosis of concomitant complications.
Treatment
The main treatment for myxedema is:
- hormone replacement therapy (taking L-T4);
- taking glucocorticoids;
- correction of hemodynamic and electrolyte disorders;
- treatment of concomitant complications of the disease.
The patient has no significant restrictions, except for the need to take L-T4 daily.
In no case should you self-medicate, as this may may lead to serious complications and diseases. Myxedema should only be treated by a specialist. To prescribe the correct treatment, you need to make an appointment with an endocrinologist.
Prevention
To protect yourself from developing myxedema in the future, first of all, you need to:
- regularly and promptly treat already obvious thyroid diseases;
- monitor the intake of iodine into the body;
- regularly undergo thyroid ultrasound and preventive examination by an endocrinologist.
The risk groups for developing myxedema include:
- people with family diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, any thyroid diseases, primary adrenal insufficiency;
- thyroid diseases in past;
- goiter;
- surgical interventions on the thyroid gland;
- vitiligo;
- pernicious anemia;
- taking certain medications;
- increased prolactin levels;
- decreased sodium levels;
- anemia.
Схожі новини:
