ABSTRACT
Hypothyroid (or myxedematous) coma is the result of a very severe, untreated hypothyroidism.1 It is characterized by hypothermia, cardiovascular shock, and stupor that results in death if not immediately treated. It represents an endocrine emergency that should be handled in an intensive care unit. In the past, hypothyroid coma was dened as myxedematous coma because of the typical myxoedematous complication characterized by subcutaneous diffused absorption resulting from deposits of mucin and glucosaminoglycans in the interstitial and subcutaneous tissues. The myxedematous complication is very rare now and therefore the hypothyroid coma term is more appropriate.
