Abstract

The follicular cells of the thyroid gland produce thyroxine and triiodothyronine hormones, as regulated by the thyrotropic hormone of the anterior pituitary, also called thyroid stimulating hormone. Myxedema coma is defined as profound hypothyroidism characterized by impairment of consciousness ranging from lethargy to stupor and coma, associated with hypothermia, hypoglycemia, seizures, hypotension, and manifestations of uncompensated hypothyroidism. The condition can be prevented if diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism is established and thyroid hormone replacement therapy is instituted. It is considered a medical emergency with high mortality rates, where environmental factors such as cold, severe infections and drug poisoning are important triggering factors. We report the case of a 74 year old male adult with no history of thyroid disease who was admitted to the Internal Medicine Ward of the “Enrique Cabrera” Hospital, Havana, Cuba, in December 2011, with clinical and laboratory signs of thyroid hypofunction. Myxedema coma was confirmed and patient course was untoward.