Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Minimal Invasive Resection of Large Retrosternal Thyroid Goiter
Published on: September 20, 2024
[Clinical features of respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism]
Fu-Ping Guo1, Teng-Da Xu, Tie-Kuan Du
1Department of Internal Medicine, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Objective:
To explore the clinical features of respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism.
Method:
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 4 patients with respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism.
Results:
Respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism usually happened in the aged patients, presenting as myxedema, disturbance of consciousness, anemia, and hyponatrium. Respiratory symptoms were rare. Type II respiratory failure might occur as disease progressed. The clinical presentation of hypothyroidism was atypical and easily neglected. The hypoxia and hypercapnia ameliorated after thyroid hormone therapy.
Conclusion:
Hypothyroidism is a rare reason of respiratory failure. The prognosis is good after hormone therapy and mechanical ventilation.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Respiratory Failure-II
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Acute Respiratory Failure-I
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology