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Journal of Medical Cases

Case Report

Volume 8, Number 12, December 2017, pages 404-406

Hypothyroidism: A Silent Killer in Young Patients

Hypothyroidism is a clinical condition that results from inadequate synthesis of thyroid hormones and is considered a “great mimicker” of many common complaints found in the emergency department (ED). Mostly in patients unaware of their thyroid dysfunction or the severity of their condition [1], hypothyroidism may present as a potentially serious disorder, where patients may initially appear with non-specific constitutional and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and where infections and sepsis are the most common precipitation factors [2, 3]. Untreated disease can lead to myxedema coma/crisis, which is a life-threatening form of decompensated hypothyroidism most commonly in elderly woman and rarely identified in young male patients [4]. Despite of term myxedema coma, patients frequently do not present comatose, instead obtunded for which myxedema crisis may be an apt term. Because it is a rare and unrecognized disease, there are a few isolated cases reports and case series. The myxedema crisis carries by itself high mortality rates, approximately 25-60% even in cases that undergo proper medical management [5].

We present a case of a 26-year-old Hispanic non-smoker male with medical history hypothyroidism since 13 years old and bronchial asthma who visited San Juan City Hospital (SJCH) urgency room due to acute abdominal pain since same day. He identified the pain at the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, described as stabbing, 7/10 in intensity, constant, non-radiating and without identifiable exacerbating or improving factors. He reported non-bloody watery diarrheas (3 - 4/day) associated to food intake, for the last week. He also noticed that over the past 3 - 4 months, he had developed generalized malaise, fatigue, cold intolerance, somnolence, mental slowing, headache, loss of appetite, unintentional and unquantified weight loss. He denied fever, chills, nauseas, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, seizure or dysuria. He has history of allergic reaction to seafood, sulfa, aspirin and penicillin, described as edema. He was not taking any medications and denied a history of drug use or a family history of hereditary or familial disorder. On initial evaluation, vital signs revealed temperature of 36.9 °C, blood pressure of 93/58 mm Hg (MAP, 70 mm Hg), heart rate of 66 beats per minute, respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute, oxygen saturation by finger pulse oximetry at 98%, and blood finger dextro stick at 55 mg/dL. Body mass index was 19.4 kg/m² (normal).

Physical examination showed pale appearance, hypoactive and lethargic, with mental slowing, barely keeping up a conversation. There was facial puffiness, swollen upper lip and macroglossia. On cardiac examination, he had regular rate and rhythm and normal S1 and S2 heart sounds; there was no JVD, murmurs, friction rub or palpable cardiac apical impulse. Lungs were clear bilaterally. On abdominal examination, abdomen was flat, had normoactive bowel sounds, soft and depressible to palpation, non-tender and had no hepatosplenomegaly. On extremities, there was no edema and had pulses 2+ bilaterally throughout. Skin exam had mild pallor and normal skin turgor; there was no coarse hair, dry and/or cold skin. On neurological examination, mental status, Glasgow coma scale, scored 15/15, motor system with normal tone and strength, and sensory was intact to pinprick. Deep tendon reflexes showed delayed relaxation on upper extremities and hyperactive 3+ on both knee jerk and ankle reflexes.

The laboratory results were remarkable for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) of 314.75 uIU/mL, low sodium level of 130.9 mmol/L, elevated creatinine of 1.3 mg/dL, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of 87 U/L and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of 103 U/L. In view of patient’s initial chief complaint, abdominopelvic CT scan done incidentally revealed a large pericardial effusion that was later confirmed by echocardiogram, which also showed dilated cardiomyopathy with a moderated size pericardial effusion and an ejection fraction of 30-35% (Figs. 1 and 2).

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Figure 1. CT scan showing large pericardial effusion.

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Figure 2. Echocardiogram showing pericardial effusion.

Based on patient’s presentation, physical examination, laboratories and evidence of a pericardial effusion, the diagnosis of myxedema crisis was established, a rare complication of untreated hypothyroidism. Once diagnosed for patient with myxedema crisis a prompt initiation of intravenous hydrocortisone, levothyroxine and triiodothyronine therapy was administered and he was transferred for management of the pericardial effusion.

Myxedema crisis is a severe life-threatening complication associated with a mortality rate up to 60% despite proper medical management [5]. Hypothyroidism and myxedema crisis are more common in elderly and women patients [4]. Myxedema crisis is an extremely rare complication in young male patients. Significant predictors of mortality of myxedema crisis include hypotension and bradycardia at presentation. Low T₃ leads to hypothermia and suppression of cardiac activity having consequences as respiratory depression, cardiogenic shock and coma [6]. These events are associated with poorer outcome in patients with history of cardiac disease. Severe untreated hypothyroidism is associated with heart failure, psychosis and coma. Congestive heart failure is rare in long-standing hypothyroidism. A study published in 2010 found that out of 33 patients with cardiomegaly, only six patients were found with a low left ventricular ejection fraction (< 40%) [7]. Recent studies have shown that the incidence of pericardial effusion in severe hypothyroidism ranges from 30% to 80% and that this complication can be prevented and/or regresses slowly with adequate levothyroxine therapy [8, 9].

There are few cases reported in recent literature related to myxedema crisis, as this is an exceedingly rare complication that is mostly seen in young and male patients. This case raised concerns about the incidence of people which are afflicted with thyroid disease in our population without proper medical management. Untreated severe hypothyroidism should be considered in patients who present with weakness, cold intolerance and/or altered mental status. Early diagnosis and adequate management improve patient’s prognosis and decrease mortality. Primary care physicians should encourage patients to adhere to medical therapy and the recommended follow-up to avoid this catastrophic complication of hypothyroidism.

Acknowledgments

We wish to acknowledge the guidance and assistance of Karen Torres Gonzalez, MD, Yanery’s Agosto Vargas, MD, Samayra Miranda Rodriguez, MD, Michelle Mangual Garcia, MD and Christian E. Schenk, MD in preparation of this article.

Financial Support

No source of financial support to disclose.

Conflict of Interest

We have no conflict of interest to declare.

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