Question

What is the condition showing swelling in the face and hands and sluggishness due to hypothyroidism called ? (Cretinism /myxedema)

Answer 1

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is insufficient to produce thyroid hormone. This deficiency can affect heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism.

Complete answer:
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is not able to produce sufficient thyroid hormone leading to certain conditions in the body. The low levels of thyroid hormone in the body of infants are known as cretinism and whereas when the thyroid deficiency occurs in adults, it is called myxoedema.
In cretinism, low levels of thyroid hormone lead to retarded mental health and disrupt physical health.
This condition occurs in infants after birth. The physical growth of the infant is highly affected which can be evident during the first few months of birth.
Short limbs, protruding tongue, dryness in skin, and development of abdominal tone which is very poor. All these are the characteristic symptoms of Cretinism.
On the other hand, myxoedema is a condition caused by the deficiency of thyroid hormone in adults. It is also known as Gull’s disease which occurs later in adulthood when the physical and mental development of the person is complete. Here, the metabolic rates of the body slow down along with the decrease in the processing time of the brain to perform several functions whether it is mental or physical.
Coarseness in skin, lustreless and brittle hair, and swelling in hands and face, are the most common symptoms of myxoedema.
Therefore, the answer to the above question is myxoedema where sluggishness and swelling in hands and face occur.

Note:
During gestation, the hormones of the mother are passed to the fetus through the placenta and the normal balance of hormones is maintained. But after birth, the mother’s hormones have no connection to the baby and the infant's body starts producing its hormones. When the infant's body is unable to produce a sufficient amount of thyroid hormone, it’s called Cretinism.
Myxedema is a condition after the person has attained proper body physical characters and mental characters. It is not like cretinism where hormone production does not take place from birth, but here thyroid hormone was being produced earlier. But suddenly, due to some problems in the thyroid gland secretion of thyroid hormone is insufficient.