hypothermia in severe hypothyroidism

Q: The severity of hypothermia is directly related to mortality in severe hypothyroidism?

A) True

B) False

Answer: A

The severity of hypothermia is related to mortality in severe hypothyroidism; the lower the body temperature, more likely the mortality. It is important to note that hypothermia may not be recognized initially. One of the reasons is that many automatic thermometers do not register frankly hypothermic body temperatures. Extreme care should be taken to accurately gauge the temperature in Myxedema coma.

#endocrinology

References:

1. Wiersinga WM. Myxedema and Coma (Severe Hypothyroidism) [Updated 2018 Apr 25]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279007/

2. Acharya R, Cheng C, Bourgeois M, Masoud J, McCray E. Myxedema Coma: A Forgotten Medical Emergency With a Precipitous Onset. Cureus. 2020 Sep 16;12(9):e10478. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10478. PMID: 33083180; PMCID: PMC7567317.

3. Kogan A, Kassif Y, Shadel M, Shwarz Y, Lavee J, Or J, Raanani E. Severe hypothermia in myxoedema coma: a rewarming by extracorporeal circulation. Emerg Med Australas. 2011 Dec;23(6):773-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-6723.2011.01460.x. PMID: 22151678.