What is Myxoedema Coma?

Did you know that there is a potentially fatal side effect of hypothyroidism?

Myxoedema coma (or myxoedema crisis as it is sometimes known) is a loss of brain function as a result of longstanding, severely low level of thyroid hormone, and can be fatal.

Myxoedema coma is considered a life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism, requiring emergency treatment in hospital. However, it is extremely rare these days and was much more common a hundred or more years ago.

The term myxoedema coma refers to a comatose state, though a comatose state is no longer required in order to be diagnosed with the condition, which is why myxoedema crisis may be used instead.

What are The Signs of Myxoedema Coma?

• Swelling of the skin
• Swelling of the lips, tongue and eyelids
• Thickening of the skin
• Fatigue
• Cold intolerance
• Drowsiness
• Confusion and brain fog
• Hypothermia
• Abnormal blood pressure
• Weight gain
• Depression
• Affects to cognitive function such as developmental delays

A diagnosis is made based on symptoms and blood tests. Thyroid testing for hypothyroidism will come back very obvious when myxoedema coma is present; likely a very high TSH with very low Free T3 and Free T4.

Treatment is immediate thyroid hormone replacement therapy with the preferred route of an IV straight in to a vein, often requiring an ICU stay and close monitoring. Myxoedema coma can be fatal.

What Causes Myxoedema Coma?

Since this condition is cause by longstanding low thyroid hormone levels, it is usually caused by:

• someone going undiagnosed with hypothyroidism (whether caused by Hashimoto’s, a thyroidectomy, treatment for thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism etc.) for a very long time.
• or someone diagnosed but not taking their thyroid hormone replacement medication (e.g. Levothyroxine or Armour Thyroid) for quite some time.
• It may also also happen in someone taking their medication but not absorbing it.

It’s important to be aware that failing to take your thyroid medication opens you up to many health risks, such as myxoedema coma. Having thyroid disease is serious and taking hormone replacement medication is important. Never just stop taking your thyroid medication without the support and guidance of a doctor. Medication for hypothyroidism is hormonal replacement that your body needs, not an optional supplement. Your body needs adequate thyroid hormone to stay alive and function.

Interestingly, 90% of cases of this condition occur in the winter and most are to people over the age of 60.

Had you heard of myxoedema coma?

Related Articles:

What Happens If You Stop Taking Your Thyroid Medication

I Don’t Want to Take Thyroid Medication. Can I Take Something ‘Natural’ Instead?

See also:

Be Your Own Thyroid Advocate, which covers why you may still feel unwell on thyroid medication and what you can do about it.