1. Myxedema Ascites: An Unusual Presentation of Uncontrolled Hypothyroidism
- Author
-
Jatin Roper, Jakob T. Sieker, Rohit Dhingra, and Puja Rai
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Levothyroxine ,liver ,Gastroenterology ,myxedema ,03 medical and health sciences ,ascites ,0302 clinical medicine ,Melena ,Internal medicine ,Ascites ,medicine ,Internal Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,biology ,business.industry ,General Engineering ,Syncope (genus) ,Endocrinology/Diabetes/Metabolism ,Abdominal distension ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Etiology ,030211 gastroenterology & hepatology ,hypothyroidism ,medicine.symptom ,Myxedema ,Presentation (obstetrics) ,business ,medicine.drug - Abstract
We describe a case of myxedema ascites in a 64-year-old male with a history of hypothyroidism noncompliant with medical therapy who presented with syncope, hematemesis, melena, and abdominal distension. The patient received intravenous levothyroxine with a good response and improved upon discharge. This case highlights the importance of considering hypothyroidism as an etiology of unexplained ascites. The analysis of ascites from myxedema may not always have a significantly elevated protein (>2.5g/dL). Appropriate diagnosis should also rely on the clinical presentation along with a rapid and positive response to thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
- Published
- 2018