Myxedema coma

Myxedema coma is a state where brain functioning stops as a result of severe, longstanding low level of thyroid hormone in the blood (hypothyroidism). Actually it is a life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism and is far more serious side of the spectrum of thyroid disease. This occurs in limited cases especially among aged people. Among aged people, women are found to be affected by this more severely. During winter, cases were reported more. There is no cure for this but death. The major symptoms of this disease are fatigue, lethargy, mental impairment, depression, cold intolerance, hoarseness, dry skin, weight gain, and change in menstrual cycles, constipation, and headaches. Patients with myxedema coma usually seen to be having a history of hypothyroidism, thyroid surgery, or radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid disease. The problem is not due to the failure of the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone; but rather is caused by the inability of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus to correctly signal the thyroid gland to perform its normal functions. In this situation, the thyroid gland is normal, but it is not accepting the signals from the pituitary gland or hypothalamus to make the thyroid hormone it is capable of producing. One of the best ways to control this condition is to prevent it from the initial level. An individual with hypothyroidism should visit their doctor regularly for follow-up and blood testing to be certain that their replacement dose is appropriate. If an individual has symptoms that concerns them, but has not been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, they should visit their health care practitioner to discuss their concerns and survey the alternative of testing for thyroid disparity.