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Review
. 2014 May;32(2):303-17.
doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2013.12.003. Epub 2014 Mar 6.

Hypothyroidism: causes, killers, and life-saving treatments

Sarah B Dubbs  1 , Ryan Spangler  2
Affiliations
Review

Hypothyroidism: causes, killers, and life-saving treatments

Sarah B Dubbs et al. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2014 May.

Abstract

Hypothyroidism is a very common, yet often overlooked disease. It can have a myriad of signs and symptoms, and is often nonspecific. Identification requires analysis of thyroid hormones circulating in the bloodstream, and treatment is simply replacement with exogenous hormone, usually levothyroxine (Synthroid). The deadly manifestation of hypothyroidism is myxedema coma. Similarly nonspecific and underrecognized, treatment with exogenous hormone is necessary to decrease the high mortality rate.

Keywords: Coma; Hypothyroidism; Levothyroxine; Myxedema; Thyroid; Thyroid-stimulating hormone.

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