Myxedema is a skin condition, more common in women between the ages of 30 and 50, which usually arises due to severe and prolonged hypothyroidism, leading to swelling of the face, for example.
Hypothyroidism is characterized by decreased production of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms such as headache, constipation and weight gain without apparent cause. Learn how to identify and treat hypothyroidism.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of myxedema are swelling of the face and eyelids, with the formation of a kind of bag over the eyes. In addition, there may be swelling of the lips and extremities.
Although it is a more common condition to occur as a result of hypothyroidism, it can also occur, but less often, because of infections, trauma or use of medications that depress brain function, such as sedatives and tranquilizers.
Types of myxedema
Myxedema can be classified in:
- Spontaneous myxedema of the adult, which arises due to the dysfunction of the production of thyroid hormones;
- Congenital or primitive myxedema, in which the thyroid does not produce enough hormones since the baby's development - learn more about congenital hypothyroidism;
- Operative myxedema, which usually arises after surgery involving the thyroid, in which hormone levels decrease after the procedure.
The diagnosis is made by the endocrinologist from the evaluation of symptoms and blood tests that confirm hypothyroidism, such as TSH, T3 and T4.
If hypothyroidism is not treated correctly, it may develop into a potentially lethal condition, myxedema coma, where the thyroid is enlarged or not palpable, facial edema and eyelid are very marked, delirium and heart rate decrease, for example.
How is the treatment done?
The treatment of myxedema is done with the objective of reversing hypothyroidism, that is, it is done with the replacement of the hormones produced by the thyroid according to the recommendation of the endocrinologist. Understand how the treatment for hypothyroidism is done.
After a few months of starting treatment, your doctor will usually order blood tests to see if thyroid hormone levels are normal and thus adjust the dose if necessary. See which tests are essential for thyroid assessment.
