Question

An elderly female patient has presented to the emergency department with altered mental status, hypothermia, and clinical signs of heart failure. Myxedema is suspected. Which of the following laboratory findings support this diagnosis?

1) Elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone
2) Elevated cortisol levels
3) Elevated T3 and T4
4) Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone

Answer 1

The laboratory finding that supports the diagnosis of myxedema in an elderly female patient with altered mental status, hypothermia, and clinical signs of heart failure is elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Step-by-step explanation:

The laboratory finding that supports the diagnosis of myxedema in an elderly female patient with altered mental status, hypothermia, and clinical signs of heart failure is elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Myxedema is a severe form of hypothyroidism characterized by a low level of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and elevated TSH levels. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, so elevated TSH indicates that the body is trying to compensate for low thyroid hormone levels. The other options, elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and elevated cortisol levels, are not specific to myxedema.