Myxedema
Myxedema Causes
Myxedema may be caused by both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid conditions. Elevated levels of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate accumulate in the dermis in both lesional and normal skin.
Myxedema Definition
Myxedema (spelled ?myxoedema? in British English) is a disorder of the skin and tissue brought about by severe and prolonged hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a disorder affecting both humans and animals caused by the insufficiency of thyroid production by the thyroid gland.
Myxedema Symptoms and Signs
Myxedema often affects the skin visibly. Common signs are a thickening or coarsening of the skin. The facial appearance of affected patients may visibly change, including a thickening of the nose, swelling of the lips, and puffiness around the eyes. Infiltrations (described as jelly-like) may appear in subcutaneous tissues. The skin may become dried or yellowed. Additionally, myxedema patients demonstrate slow or slurred speech, lethargy, mental dullness, or experience a variety of mental problems. Weight gain, constipation, thinning or balding hair, hearing impairments, and carpal tunnel syndrome are also typical symptoms.
Myxedema Treatment
Treatment for myxedema patients can prove difficult. Clinical studies espouse the use of systemic or intralesional glucocorticoids, topical glucocorticoids under occlusion, or high dosage of IV immunoglobulin. More often, myxedema therapy is secondary to the treatment of the original underlying hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.