Temperature in Myxedema coma

Q: The severity of the hypothermia is related to mortality in Myxedema coma.

A) True

B) False

Answer: A

The seven cardinal signs, though not all may be present in myxedema coma, are:

1. Decreased mental status
2. Hypothermia
3. Bradycardia
4. Hyponatremia
5. Hypoglycemia
6. Hypotension
7. Evidence of Precipitating illness/factor

The severity of the hypothermia is very much related to mortality in severe hypothyroidism, so the level of hypothermia should be established with a reliable temperature-measuring device.

#endocrinology

References:

1. Yamamoto H, Hongo T, Nojima T, Obara T, Kosaki Y, Ageta K, Tsukahara K, Yumoto T, Nakao A, Naito H. Successfully treated case of severe hypothermia secondary to myxedema coma. Acute Med Surg. 2023 Mar 14;10(1):e828. doi: 10.1002/ams2.828. PMID: 36936740; PMCID: PMC10014422.

2. Zhang Y, Chu L, Han H. Myxedema coma: challenges and future directions, a systematic survey and review. Thyroid Res. 2025 Oct 7;18(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s13044-025-00268-1. PMID: 41053871; PMCID: PMC12502585.