Myxedema is associated with deficiency of which hormone?

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Multiple Choice

Myxedema is associated with deficiency of which hormone?

Myxedema occurs with a deficiency of thyroid hormone. When thyroid hormone levels are too low, metabolic rate slows and mucopolysaccharides accumulate in the dermis, producing the characteristic nonpitting, puffed swelling of the skin—especially in the face and hands—along with symptoms like fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, and slowed thinking. This specific tissue edema is a hallmark of severe hypothyroidism, sometimes termed myxedema in adults. Other hormone deficiencies produce different problems (for example, insulin deficiency leads to diabetes symptoms, cortisol deficiency causes adrenal insufficiency, and growth hormone deficiency affects growth and metabolism) and do not cause the mucopolysaccharide-rich, nonpitting edema seen with thyroid hormone deficiency.

Myxedema occurs with a deficiency of thyroid hormone. When thyroid hormone levels are too low, metabolic rate slows and mucopolysaccharides accumulate in the dermis, producing the characteristic nonpitting, puffed swelling of the skin—especially in the face and hands—along with symptoms like fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, and slowed thinking. This specific tissue edema is a hallmark of severe hypothyroidism, sometimes termed myxedema in adults.

Other hormone deficiencies produce different problems (for example, insulin deficiency leads to diabetes symptoms, cortisol deficiency causes adrenal insufficiency, and growth hormone deficiency affects growth and metabolism) and do not cause the mucopolysaccharide-rich, nonpitting edema seen with thyroid hormone deficiency.

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