1. a condition caused by severe deficiency of thyroid hormone, characterized by swelling of the face and extremities, weight gain, fatigue, and slowed metabolism
Usage: medical term; also spelled myxoedema in British English

Examples

• The patient was diagnosed with myxedema after blood tests revealed critically low thyroid hormone levels.
• Myxedema can develop gradually if hypothyroidism goes untreated for an extended period.
• Symptoms of myxedema include puffiness in the face, cold intolerance, and mental sluggishness.
• Treatment with thyroid hormone replacement therapy can reverse many of the effects of myxedema.
• The doctor recognized myxedema by the characteristic swelling and the patient's complaints of extreme fatigue.