What causes macroglossia in hypothyroidism?
Macroglossia happens due to the accumulation of adipose tissue in the submucosa of the tongue. Macroglossia in hypothyroidism is due to increased accumulation of subcutaneous mucopolysaccharides due to a decreased degradation.
What is tongue hypertrophy?
Macroglossia is the medical term for an unusually large tongue. Severe enlargement of the tongue can cause cosmetic and functional difficulties in speaking, eating, swallowing and sleeping. Macroglossia is uncommon, and usually occurs in children. There are many causes. Treatment depends upon the exact cause.
What are the causes of macroglossia?
Macroglossia is most often caused by an increase in the amount of tissue on the tongue, rather than by a growth, such as a tumor. This condition can be seen in certain inherited or congenital (existing at birth) disorders, including: Acromegaly (buildup of too much growth hormone in the body)
What is macroglossia a symptom of?
Macroglossia is the most common oral symptom of amyloidosis. Hypothyroidism: This is a common condition where your thyroid doesn’t create and release enough thyroid hormone into your bloodstream. This makes your metabolism slow down. Hypothyroidism is a common cause of macroglossia in children.
Is macroglossia serious?
If left untreated, it can cause an airway obstruction and prevent oxygen from getting to your brain. Contact a doctor if your tongue changes in any way. Depending on your symptoms, you might need speech therapy, dental treatment, or medication to treat the underlying cause. Severe macroglossia may require surgery.
Can macroglossia be cured?
No medical treatments have been proven useful when the cause is unclear. Surgery to reduce the size of the tongue may be an option for people with macroglossia. Most studies have shown that surgical procedures for macroglossia lead to improved physical appearance, speech, chewing and feeding.
Is macroglossia curable?
Treatment. Medical therapy for macroglossia is useful when the underlying cause is identified, and the cause is medically treatable – such as hypothyroidism, infection, or amyloidosis. No medical treatments have been proven useful when the cause is unclear.
How is macroglossia diagnosed?
Macroglossia is diagnosed clinically [1,2]. In utero, an ultrasound scan can detect macroglossia [6]. X-rays can be used to determine the size of the tongue when primarily used to measure the size of the head. Diagnosis of any underlying condition is also important.