RF25 | PMON95 Unique Case of Combined Presentation of Myxedema Coma and Adrenal Crisis in a Patient With Hypopituitarism or Post Sheehan's Syndrome
Authors: Fredrick Jason , Reddy Kalpana , Thomas Sharon 
Published: November 2022

Background

Patients with hypopituitarism can have a complete or partial deficiency of pituitary hormones. If not treated adequately, it can result in episodes of myxedema coma or adrenal crisis. Our patient was unique with findings of both myxedema coma and adrenal crisis together on initial presentation.

Clinical Case

A 35-year-old female with a medical history of Sheehan's Syndrome, transient diabetes insipidus and lyme carditis presented to the emergency department with dizziness, lethargy, and generalized weakness for 1 day. EMS found her blood glucose level to be 21. The patient was given oral glucose. In the ED, her blood glucose level was found to be 34. She confessed she had been noncompliant with her medications for a month. She had no other complaints or possible precipitating factors including illness/trauma/stress. On admission, she was found to be hypothermic to 91.3 deg F, bradycardic to 40-50s, and hypotensive (Systolic 80s-90s/diastolic 50s-60s). On physical examination, she was thin and lethargic but oriented. No gross focal neurological deficits were noted. In addition to the initial hypoglycemia, her laboratory findings were significant for a TSH level of 0.52, T3 level of &lt;30, T4 level of &lt;0.5, eosinophilia as well as normal sodium levels. The sepsis workup was negative. Her VBG showed mild respiratory acidosis. For the myxedema coma and adrenal crisis, she was initially given hydrocortisone 100 mg and levothyroxine 200mcg. Her hypoglycemia improved after administration of these medications and intravenous fluids of dextrose-normal saline. The endocrinology service was consulted, and the patient was admitted to the ICU for monitoring. The next day her hypothermia, hypotension resolved and her lethargy, weakness improved. Once she was stabilized in the ICU, she was transferred to the floors. For the myxedema coma, once stable, she was started on oral levothyroxine 100mcg in accordance with weight-based dosing (1.6 mcg/kg daily) on the following day. Her free T4 level improved from 0.48 to 0.56 to 0.72. Her T3 level improved from &lt;30.0 to 42.7. For the adrenal crisis, after the initial dose of IV hydrocortisone 100mg, it was tapered down to IV hydrocortisone 50 mg, then switched to oral prednisone daily. Eosinophilia from admission was mild which resolved later. Additional management of her history of Sheehan's Syndrome, her levels of LH 0.5, FSH 1.2, Estradiol &lt;5, and Prolactin 0.6 were all low, so was advised to follow up with hormone replacement therapy outpatient.

Conclusion

This is an interesting case presentation of myxedema coma and adrenal crisis in a patient with a history of Sheehan's Syndrome. It is important to consider the unique and similar presentations of both myxedema coma and adrenal crisis such as hypotension, bradycardia, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and lethargy.

Presentation: Monday, June 13, 2022 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Monday, June 13, 2022 12:51 p.m. - 12:56 p.m.