Myxedematous psychosis 2189560 225439649 2008-07-13T18:28:16Z Kenmcl2 4675627 link to myxedema '''Myxedema psychosis''', more colloquially known as '''myxedema madness''', is a relatively uncommon consequence of [[hypothyroidism]], particularly [[Hashimoto's thyroiditis]]. A chronically under-active [[thyroid]] can lead to slowly progressive [[dementia]], [[delirium]], and in extreme cases to [[hallucination]]s, [[coma]], or [[psychosis]], particularly in the elderly. Treatment is via the standard treatment for hypothyroidism with [[thyroxine]] replacement. Oral T<sub>4</sub>, or in especially acute cases [[liothyronine sodium|liothyronine]], a sodium salt of T<sub>3</sub>. [[Hormone]] replacement in these patients usually reverses the psychotic symptoms, but may not help with [[cognition|cognitive]] deficits caused by changes in [[metabolism|metabolic]] activity in the [[Central nervous system|CNS]]. The "[[myxedema]]" part of the name simply refers to the pitting [[edema]] common to hypothyroidism. ===References=== Hypothyroidism Presenting as Psychosis: Myxedema Madness Revisited. Heinrich TW, Grahm G. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2003; 5(6): 260-266. [http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=419396] [[Category:Symptoms]] [[Category:Thyroid disease]]