Hypoglycaemic coma in severe primary hypothyroidism.
A 76-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital in comatose condition. Her blood glucose was 1.7 mM. Immediately after intravenous glucose treatment she attained normal consciousness. The diagnosis of severe primary hypothyroidism was subsequently made and no sign of other diseases was detected. After thyroid replacement therapy fasting blood glucose levels rose to normal and no further hypoglycaemic episodes occurred. It is emphasized, that hypoglycaemia may be the direct cause of severely impaired consciousness in hypothyroidism requiring immediate and specific therapy.
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003128:Coma / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000209:etiology*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001786:Blood Glucose; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D005947:Glucose