Its rare and potentially fatal.
The condition is also called myxedema crisis.
It causes swelling and thickened skin, especially in your lower legs.
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Other symptoms may be dark patches or yellowed skin.
Myxedema coma is most common when severe hypothyroidism has gone untreated for a long time.
It rarely leads to acoma.
Instead, it causes lethargy due to slowed function of multiple systems.
Thats the way your body controls automatic things liketemperature, digestion, and heart rate.
When thyroid hormones are low, your body adapts and finds other ways to maintain homeostasis.
Dont stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor.
Risk Factors
Myxedema coma is most common in the winter.
Youre at higher risk if:
Diagnosis
Doctors identify myxedema coma in several ways.
Treatments must address each problem.
They may include:
You may need other treatments, depending on your symptoms and lab test results.
The lower the body temperature gets, the more likely the person will die.
The best way to prevent myxedema coma is to have your thyroid condition diagnosed and treated early.
A Word From Verywell
Myxedema coma is a potentially life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism.
Its more likely to happen if your thyroid condition is not managed.
If you have signs of hypothyroidism, talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Getting diagnosed and treated early can significantly reduce your risk of having myxedema coma.
The sooner you act, the better the chance of recovery.
doi:10.1002/ccr3.8478
National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine: Endotext.Myxedema coma.
Updated April 25, 2018.
