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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Low Resting Pulse When Suffering From Hypothyroidism?

Hi, my mom (66) was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The doctor has her on levothyroxine (0.75 mcg per day). She's been taking it for a week and a half. The last 2-3 days she's been a zombie. Lying in bed, not moving at all. Completely unresponsive, the most i get is a yes or not or ok. Doesn't talk at all. She is just completely zoned out.
THis is extremely abnormal behaviour for her. Usually she's very vocal and alert.
is this normal?? Her resting pulse rate is low. Her body temperature is so low that it won't even register on the digital thermometer.
Thu, 20 Feb 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi, I had gone through your query and understand your concerns about your Mom.

From your description,I am having an impression that she is moving towards a rare complication of hypothyroidism called Myxedema Coma.It is usually seen in untreated hypothyroid patients or those taking inadequate dose of Levothyroxine.The typical symptoms are severe drop in body temperature, reduced lung function and breathing rate, slow heart rate, constipation, urine retention and occasional seizures.It can progress to life threatening coma as well.This is a condition which require Emergency Treatment as it has a mortality rate of 30%.
So I will advise you to take her to hospital at the earliest and get her seen by an Endocrinologist or a Internal Medicine specialist.Do not get panic,as her speaking Yes or No is a good sign and it is completely treatable if she is given proper supportive treatment at the earliest.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
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What Causes Low Resting Pulse When Suffering From Hypothyroidism?

Hi, I had gone through your query and understand your concerns about your Mom. From your description,I am having an impression that she is moving towards a rare complication of hypothyroidism called Myxedema Coma.It is usually seen in untreated hypothyroid patients or those taking inadequate dose of Levothyroxine.The typical symptoms are severe drop in body temperature, reduced lung function and breathing rate, slow heart rate, constipation, urine retention and occasional seizures.It can progress to life threatening coma as well.This is a condition which require Emergency Treatment as it has a mortality rate of 30%. So I will advise you to take her to hospital at the earliest and get her seen by an Endocrinologist or a Internal Medicine specialist.Do not get panic,as her speaking Yes or No is a good sign and it is completely treatable if she is given proper supportive treatment at the earliest. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.