10 Serious Indicators Of Wernicke's Encephalopathy

7. Hypothermia (Abnormally Low Body Temperature)

Another surprising autonomic nervous system dysfunction seen in Wernicke's encephalopathy is hypothermia – an abnormally low body temperature. The brain's hypothalamus, which controls thermoregulation, relies on thiamine for proper function. When energy production is compromised, this vital regulatory center can fail, leading to a dangerous drop in core body temperature. This often occurs even in warm environments and can be a subtle, yet serious, clue when combined with mental changes or gait abnormalities.