Myxedema refers to facial edema associated with hypothyroidism.

Myxedema refers to facial edema associated with hypothyroidism.

• A. Hyperthyroidism
• B. Hypothyroidism
• C. Graves disease
• D. Cretinism

Answer: (B)

Myxedema is the boggy, non-pitting facial edema seen with severe hypothyroidism, due to accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the skin from low thyroid hormone activity. This facial puffiness is classically associated with hypothyroidism, making it the best match for the statement. In contrast, hyperthyroidism does not produce this generalized mucopolysaccharide deposition in the skin. Graves disease, while a thyroid hyperstate, can have a related skin finding called pretibial myxedema, but that is a localized form on the legs and does not describe the facial edema typical of myxedema. Cretinism refers to congenital hypothyroidism with developmental issues, not the adult-pattern myxedema described here.

Myxedema is the boggy, non-pitting facial edema seen with severe hypothyroidism, due to accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the skin from low thyroid hormone activity. This facial puffiness is classically associated with hypothyroidism, making it the best match for the statement. In contrast, hyperthyroidism does not produce this generalized mucopolysaccharide deposition in the skin. Graves disease, while a thyroid hyperstate, can have a related skin finding called pretibial myxedema, but that is a localized form on the legs and does not describe the facial edema typical of myxedema. Cretinism refers to congenital hypothyroidism with developmental issues, not the adult-pattern myxedema described here.