Myxedema coma - A case report and literature review

Abstract

Myxedema coma is a medical emergency. It was rarely reported in Taiwan. We present a 75-year-old female patient of myxedema coma. She had hyperthyroidism and received radioactive iodine therapy for twice 30 years ago without regular thyroid hormone replacement and resulting in myxedema coma. Cold weather and pneumonia might be the precipitating factors. She presented with hypothermia, confusion, hypotension, bradycardia and hypoventilation. With early recognition, adequate thyroxine replacement, mechanical ventilation and prompt treatment of associated infections, she recovered without sequelae.