title: [Clinical features of respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the clinical features of respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 4 patients with respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respiratory failure secondary to hypothyroidism usually happened in the aged patients, presenting as myxedema, disturbance of consciousness, anemia, and hyponatrium. Respiratory symptoms were rare. Type II respiratory failure might occur as disease progressed. The clinical presentation of hypothyroidism was atypical and easily neglected. The hypoxia and hypercapnia ameliorated after thyroid hormone therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypothyroidism is a rare reason of respiratory failure. The prognosis is good after hormone therapy and mechanical ventilation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Fu-Ping
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Teng-Da
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Tie-Kuan
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Hou-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013963:Thyroid Hormones