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Myxoedema and Raynaud's phenomenon
Acta Endocrinologica
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Hypothyroidism (myxoedema) commonly causes cold hands, with some patients experiencing Raynaud's phenomenon. L-thyroxine treatment significantly improved cold sensitivity, suggesting reduced sympathetic activity.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Vascular Physiology
Background:
- Cold hands and Raynaud's phenomenon are frequent complaints in patients with hypothyroidism (myxoedema).
- The underlying vascular mechanisms contributing to cold sensitivity in myxoedema are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cold sensitivity of digital arteries in patients with myxoedema.
- To determine the effect of L-thyroxine treatment on cold sensitivity and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Assessed cold sensitivity of digital arteries in 17 patients with myxoedema before and after treatment.
- Diagnosed Raynaud's phenomenon based on digital arterial closure during finger cooling.
Main Results:
- 15 of 17 patients reported cold hands; 4 had Raynaud's phenomenon.
- Increased digital artery cold sensitivity was observed in approximately half of the patients.
- L-thyroxine treatment led to a significant decrease in cold sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Untreated myxoedema is associated with increased digital artery cold sensitivity, potentially due to heightened sympathetic nervous system activity.
- This increased sensitivity may reveal an underlying predisposition to Raynaud's phenomenon.
- L-thyroxine therapy effectively improves cold sensitivity in myxoedema patients.