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Myxedema and obstructive sleep apnea

W C Orr, J L Males, N K Imes

    The American Journal of Medicine
    |May 1, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Severe hypothyroidism (myxedema) can cause obstructive sleep apnea, leading to daytime sleepiness. Treating hypothyroidism with l-thyroxine significantly improved or resolved sleep apnea in patients.

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    Area of Science:

    • Endocrinology
    • Sleep Medicine
    • Pulmonology

    Background:

    • Hypersomnolence and snoring are common symptoms that can indicate underlying sleep disorders.
    • Myxedema, a severe form of hypothyroidism, affects multiple bodily systems.
    • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious condition characterized by repetitive breathing cessation during sleep.

    Observation:

    • Three patients with profound myxedema presented with hypersomnolence, snoring, and confirmed sleep apnea.
    • Sleep studies revealed obstructive sleep apnea with associated arterial oxygen desaturation in all affected patients.
    • Clinical and biochemical evidence of myxedema was present in all cases.

    Findings:

    • Treatment with l-thyroxine normalized thyroid hormone levels (euthyroid state).

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  • Repeat sleep evaluations demonstrated a near-complete resolution of obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Key sleep parameters, including respiratory events and oxygen saturation, showed significant improvement post-treatment.

    • Implications:

    • Profound daytime sleepiness in hypothyroid patients may signal obstructive sleep apnea.
    • OSA is a potentially life-threatening complication of untreated myxedema.
    • Thyroid hormone replacement therapy can effectively manage OSA secondary to hypothyroidism.