Myxedema Coma, A Forgotten Clinical Entity in Medical Emergency: A Case Report

Abstract

Myxedema coma is a rare endocrine emergency and is often forgotten differential diagnosis in a patient with altered mental status. Despite its rare occurrence, clinical suspicion is needed in any patient with clinical features and biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism. It ideally requires intravenous levothyroxine for treatment. We report a case of 76 year old male, nonsmoker, non-alcohol consumer who presented with acute onset altered mental status and stupor, which was attributed to untreated severe hypothyroidism and successfully treated with oral levothyroxine despite unavailability of its intravenous form.