clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2018

Overt hypothyroidism including such features as:

  • flaky, dry, yellowish skin; hair loss; hoarse voice; weight gain; constipation; menorrhagia; psychiatric changes - from non-specific depression to organic psychoses; occasionally, carpal tunnel syndrome
  • often, history of previous thyroidectomy or radioiodine treatment

Other features:

  • depressed conscious level - may be comatose
  • hypothermia (core temperature < 35øC) - body is cold and but without shivering
  • bradycardia
  • hypoventilation with hypoxia and hypercapnia
  • other pathologies related to hypothyroidism eg heart failure, cyanosis
  • hyponatraemia (Na < 130 mmol/l)
  • hyporeflexia