Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Methemoglobinemia history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Methemoglobinemia will present with different signs and symptoms depending on the methemoglobin levels in the blood.
History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
- Depending on the levels of MetHb in the blood we can observe different symptoms as follows: Patients with MetHb levels of up to 15% will present with skin and blood color (chocolate-brown) changes. Patients with MetHb levels above 15% will present with hypoxia and MetHb levels above 70% can lead to death.[1] [2]
- Cyanosis that is unresponsive to oxygen treatment is the main physical finding in people with methemoglobinemia, along with that the patient can present with dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath.
References
References
- ↑ do Nascimento TS, Pereira RO, de Mello HL, Costa J (2008). “Methemoglobinemia: from diagnosis to treatment”. Rev Bras Anestesiol. 58 (6): 651–64. PMID 19082413.
- ↑ Bradberry SM (2003). “Occupational methaemoglobinaemia. Mechanisms of production, features, diagnosis and management including the use of methylene blue”. Toxicol Rev. 22 (1): 13–27. PMID 14579544.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aksiniya Stevasarova, M.D.