Potential risk factors for the development of alveolar hypoventilation in hypothyroidism
| Decreased pressure output from the respiratory muscles |
| Decreased hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory drive |
| Respiratory muscle weakness (neuropathy, neuromuscular junction abnormality, myopathy, decreased muscle perfusion caused by myocardial impairment) |
| Increased mechanical load |
| Upper airway obstruction/sleep apnoea |
| Pleural effusions |
| Ascites |
| Increased bronchial reactivity |
| Impaired gas exchange |
| Reduction in pulmonary capillary bed |
| Increased permeability of the pulmonary capillaries |
| Increased alveolar and capillary wall thickness |