Severe Myxedema Coma With Neurological, Cardiac, and Renal Involvement: A Case Report

Myxedema coma is the most severe manifestation of hypothyroidism, with high mortality despite treatment. It typically affects elderly women and is often triggered by infection, drug exposure, or environmental stressors. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with no prior history of thyroid disease who presented with progressive neurological deterioration, hypothermia, bradycardia, hypotension, and multiorgan dysfunction. Laboratory evaluation confirmed severe hypothyroidism with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone and undetectable free T4, alongside markedly elevated cardiac enzymes, global cardiomyopathy with pericardial effusion, and acute kidney injury. Management with high-dose enteral levothyroxine and intravenous hydrocortisone, in combination with supportive care, led to rapid improvement, extubation by day three, and full recovery of thyroid, cardiac, renal, and neurological function. This case underscores the importance of early recognition and timely intervention in patients with unexplained encephalopathy and systemic compromise, as prompt treatment can reverse even severe presentations of myxedema coma.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-12-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.98391
Primary Topic
Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Severe Myxedema Coma With Neurological, Cardiac, and Renal Involvement: A Case Report

Luis Fernando Domínguez-Valdez, Juana Utrera, Amilcar Rivero-Rejón
Cureus
Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
article

Severe Myxedema Coma With Neurological, Cardiac, and Renal Involvement: A Case Report

Luis Fernando Domínguez-Valdez, Juana Utrera, Amilcar Rivero-Rejón
article en

Abstract

Myxedema coma is the most severe manifestation of hypothyroidism, with high mortality despite treatment. It typically affects elderly women and is often triggered by infection, drug exposure, or environmental stressors. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with no prior history of thyroid disease who presented with progressive neurological deterioration, hypothermia, bradycardia, hypotension, and multiorgan dysfunction. Laboratory evaluation confirmed severe hypothyroidism with elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone and undetectable free T4, alongside markedly elevated cardiac enzymes, global cardiomyopathy with pericardial effusion, and acute kidney injury. Management with high-dose enteral levothyroxine and intravenous hydrocortisone, in combination with supportive care, led to rapid improvement, extubation by day three, and full recovery of thyroid, cardiac, renal, and neurological function. This case underscores the importance of early recognition and timely intervention in patients with unexplained encephalopathy and systemic compromise, as prompt treatment can reverse even severe presentations of myxedema coma.

CureusVol. 17(12)
Hospital General de México (MX), Centro Médico Nacional La Raza (MX), Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (MX), Hospital de Especialidades (MX)
Openalex Percentile: Top 50%
Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.