2. Hypothermia Without Shivering – The Silent Drop in Temperature
One of the most perplexing aspects of Myxedema Coma is hypothermia, which occurs without the anticipated physiological response of shivering. The drop in body temperature is a silent assault, betraying the body’s lost ability to warm itself. In healthy individuals, shivering is an automatic response to cold—a rapid contraction of muscles to generate heat.
When thyroid hormone levels fall critically low, this response is blunted. The hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature, fails to signal the necessary adjustments to maintain warmth. Patients may feel a persistent chill, the kind that settles deep in the bones and is not relieved by layers of clothing or warm environments.
This uncharacteristic coldness is a deceptive enemy. It creeps in quietly, often unnoticed until it reaches a point where the body’s metabolic processes begin to slow dangerously. Without the warmth that thyroid hormones help generate, every system in the body begins to operate in slow motion. Vital organs receive less energy, functioning at a suboptimal level.
The absence of shivering is not just a curious medical anomaly; it’s a significant diagnostic clue. It directs healthcare providers to look deeper, to consider the possibility of thyroid dysfunction at its most severe. Patients themselves may not be aware of the gradual decline in temperature, making it crucial for those around them to take note and respond. (2)
