HYPOTHYROIDISM –COMPLICATIONS
If untreated hypothyroidism can result in:
- severe anemia (manifested by extreme paleness of skin), a low body temperature, and heart complications (pericardial effusion i.e. collection of fluid around the heart which may even compress the heart)
- increased susceptibility to infection
- psychiatric disorders are common and usually of the paranoid (unjustified suspicion and mistrust of others) or depressive type and may induce agitation (myxedema madness)
- in rare cases the situation may progress to confusion, stupor, or coma (myxedema coma)