Myxedema coma medical therapy: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
==Medical Therapy==
==Medical Therapy==
Treatment of myxedema coma should be performed in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and start with as quickly as possible. Given the clinical suspicion of myxedema coma, initiate replacement therapy without waiting for results of endocrine laboratory. The empirical use of glucocorticoids should be part of the initial therapeutic protocol, in view of the observations which indicate that severe hypothyroidism induces a lower adrenal response to stress. This is independent of whether or not there is simultaneous adrenal insufficiency. Since thyroid hormone speeds up metabolism of cortisol and its plasma levels may be decreased in the presence of adrenal insufficiency, the glucocorticoids should always be given prior to thyroid replacement because otherwise they could precipitate an adrenal crisis. Hydrocortisone will be given in doses of stress, 50- 100 mg intravenously (IV) every 6-8 h for 7 to 10 days or until hemodynamically stabilizes the patient. Suspend if laboratory commitment is discarded of the adrenal axis. Identify and properly treat the precipitating factor.
===Replacement Therapy===
:*Preferred regimen (1)-levothyroxine (LT4)200-400 μg in IV bolus in the first 48 hours, followed by one dose more physiological 50-100 μg IV daily until you can administer orally.
:**Note-some propose to start with larger doses of 300-500 μg
:**Note-To avoid the risk of cardiac complications continuous cardiac monitoring with dose reduction of thyroid hormone to see ischemic changes or arrhythmias.
:*Alternative regimen (1)-10 μg of LT3 in IV bolus with the dose of LT4 and continue with 10 μg every 8-12 hs along the LT4 until recovery.'''OR'''
:*Alternative regimen (2)-(LT4 + LT3) 5-20 μg IV bolus as loading dose, followed by 2.5-10 μg every 8 h
===Supportive===
* Prevention of further heat loss by covering the patient with blankets but avoid external rewarming because it may produce vascular collapse.
* Consider warmed IV fluids.
* Cardiac monitoring of the patient
{| class="wikitable"
!Condition
!Management
|-
|Hypocortisolemia
|iv hydrocortisone 200-400 mg daily
|-
|Hypoventilation
|Intubation and mechanical ventilation
|-
|Hypothermia
|Blankets(no active rewarming)
|-
|Hyponatremia
|Fluid restriction
|-
|Hypotension
|volume expansion with crystalloid or whole blood
|-
|Hypoglycemia
|glucose administration
|}
==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}

Revision as of 06:09, 10 October 2017

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Medical Therapy

Treatment of myxedema coma should be performed in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and start with as quickly as possible. Given the clinical suspicion of myxedema coma, initiate replacement therapy without waiting for results of endocrine laboratory. The empirical use of glucocorticoids should be part of the initial therapeutic protocol, in view of the observations which indicate that severe hypothyroidism induces a lower adrenal response to stress. This is independent of whether or not there is simultaneous adrenal insufficiency. Since thyroid hormone speeds up metabolism of cortisol and its plasma levels may be decreased in the presence of adrenal insufficiency, the glucocorticoids should always be given prior to thyroid replacement because otherwise they could precipitate an adrenal crisis. Hydrocortisone will be given in doses of stress, 50- 100 mg intravenously (IV) every 6-8 h for 7 to 10 days or until hemodynamically stabilizes the patient. Suspend if laboratory commitment is discarded of the adrenal axis. Identify and properly treat the precipitating factor.

Replacement Therapy

  • Preferred regimen (1)-levothyroxine (LT4)200-400 μg in IV bolus in the first 48 hours, followed by one dose more physiological 50-100 μg IV daily until you can administer orally.
    • Note-some propose to start with larger doses of 300-500 μg
    • Note-To avoid the risk of cardiac complications continuous cardiac monitoring with dose reduction of thyroid hormone to see ischemic changes or arrhythmias.
  • Alternative regimen (1)-10 μg of LT3 in IV bolus with the dose of LT4 and continue with 10 μg every 8-12 hs along the LT4 until recovery.OR
  • Alternative regimen (2)-(LT4 + LT3) 5-20 μg IV bolus as loading dose, followed by 2.5-10 μg every 8 h

Supportive

  • Prevention of further heat loss by covering the patient with blankets but avoid external rewarming because it may produce vascular collapse.
  • Consider warmed IV fluids.
  • Cardiac monitoring of the patient
Condition Management
Hypocortisolemia iv hydrocortisone 200-400 mg daily
Hypoventilation Intubation and mechanical ventilation
Hypothermia Blankets(no active rewarming)
Hyponatremia Fluid restriction
Hypotension volume expansion with crystalloid or whole blood
Hypoglycemia glucose administration

References