Is thyroid storm the same as myxedema coma?
Thyroid emergencies are rare life-threatening endocrine conditions resulting from either decompensated thyrotoxicosis (thyroid storm) or severe thyroid hormone deficiency (myxedema coma).
What is thyroid storm caused by?
Thyroid storm occurs due to a major stress such as trauma, heart attack, or infection in people with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism. In rare cases, thyroid storm can be caused by treatment of hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine therapy for Graves disease.
What is the cause of myxedema coma?
Myxedema coma occurs as a result of long-standing, undiagnosed, or undertreated hypothyroidism and is usually precipitated by a systemic illness. Myxedema coma can result from any of the causes of hypothyroidism, most commonly chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.
What is the difference between myxedema and hypothyroidism?
Myxedema is the result of having undiagnosed or untreated severe hypothyroidism. The term “myxedema” can mean severely advanced hypothyroidism. But it’s also used to describe skin changes in someone with severely advanced hypothyroidism.
Can hypothyroidism cause a thyroid storm?
Both the states of low thyroid hormone concentrations (hypothyroidism) and thyroid hormone excess thyrotoxicosis) can be transient or permanent. The decompensated, severe forms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, termed myxedema coma and thyroid storm, are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
Is thyrotoxicosis the same as thyroid storm?
Thyrotoxicosis is a common endocrine condition that may be secondary to a number of underlying processes. Thyroid storm (also known as thyroid or thyrotoxic crisis) represents the severe end of the spectrum of thyrotoxicosis and is characterized by compromised organ function.
What is thyroid storm or crisis?
Thyroid storm, also referred to as thyrotoxic crisis, is an acute, life-threatening, hypermetabolic state induced by excessive release of thyroid hormones (THs) in individuals with thyrotoxicosis. Thyroid storm may be the initial presentation of thyrotoxicosis in undiagnosed children, particularly in neonates.
Does hypothyroidism cause myxedema coma?
Myxedema coma, the extreme manifestation of hypothyroidism, is an uncommon but potentially lethal condition. Patients with hypothyroidism may exhibit a number of physiologic alterations to compensate for the lack of thyroid hormone.
Is myxedema the same as myxedema coma?
The term myxedema is often used interchangeably with hypothyroidism and myxedema coma. Myxedema also refers to the swelling of the skin and soft tissue that occurs in patients who are hypothyroid.
What is the main characteristic of myxedema?
Symptoms of myxedema include thickening of the skin and other symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, including fatigue, weight gain, depression, dry skin, and brittle hair, among others. Skin thickening or swelling associated with myxedema is often described as nonpitting edema.
What happens during a thyroid storm?
Thyroid storm is a life-threatening health condition that is associated with untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism. During thyroid storm, an individual’s heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature can soar to dangerously high levels. Without prompt, aggressive treatment, thyroid storm is often fatal.
