Thyroid storm: Difference between revisions

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Thyroid Storm

Thyroid storm, also known as thyrotoxic crisis, is a rare but life-threatening condition characterized by an extreme overproduction of thyroid hormones. It is a severe form of hyperthyroidism and requires immediate medical attention.

Pathophysiology

Thyroid storm occurs when there is a sudden and excessive release of thyroid hormones, leading to a hypermetabolic state. This can result from untreated or inadequately treated Graves' disease, toxic multinodular goiter, or thyroiditis. The excessive thyroid hormones increase the body's metabolism, affecting multiple organ systems.

Symptoms

The symptoms of thyroid storm are severe and can include:

High fever
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Arrhythmias
Heart failure
Delirium or psychosis
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Jaundice

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of thyroid storm is primarily clinical, based on the presence of symptoms and a history of hyperthyroidism. Laboratory tests may show elevated levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), with suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Treatment

Treatment of thyroid storm involves:

Antithyroid medications: Such as propylthiouracil or methimazole to reduce thyroid hormone production.
Beta-blockers: To control symptoms like tachycardia and hypertension.
Corticosteroids: To reduce inflammation and inhibit peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
Supportive care: Including intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy, and cooling blankets to manage fever.

Prognosis

With prompt and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for thyroid storm can be good. However, if left untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as heart failure, shock, and death.

Prevention

Preventing thyroid storm involves proper management of underlying hyperthyroidism. Regular monitoring and adherence to prescribed treatments can help prevent the occurrence of a thyroid storm.

Related pages

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-'''Thyroid storm''' or '''thyrotoxic crisis''' is a rare, life-threatening condition characterized by severe clinical manifestations of [[thyrotoxicosis]]. It represents a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
+== Thyroid Storm ==
-== Signs and Symptoms ==
+[[File:Thyroid_vector.svg|thumb|right|Diagram of the thyroid gland]]
-Thyroid storm is characterized by a high fever (often above 40°C/104°F), tachycardia (heart rate greater than 140 beats per minute or irregular heart rate (atrial fibrillation)), and altered mental status (agitation, confusion, delirium, psychosis, stupor, coma). Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, and even heart failure.
-== Causes ==
+'''Thyroid storm''', also known as '''thyrotoxic crisis''', is a rare but life-threatening condition characterized by an extreme overproduction of [[thyroid hormone]]s. It is a severe form of [[hyperthyroidism]] and requires immediate medical attention.
-Thyroid storm is usually precipitated by a stressor in patients with pre-existing [[hyperthyroidism]]. Common triggers include infection, trauma, surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and withdrawal from anti-thyroid medication.
+== Pathophysiology ==
+Thyroid storm occurs when there is a sudden and excessive release of thyroid hormones, leading to a hypermetabolic state. This can result from untreated or inadequately treated [[Graves' disease]], [[toxic multinodular goiter]], or [[thyroiditis]]. The excessive thyroid hormones increase the body's metabolism, affecting multiple organ systems.
+== Symptoms ==
+The symptoms of thyroid storm are severe and can include:
+* High fever
+* Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
+* Hypertension (high blood pressure)
+* [[Arrhythmia]]s
+* [[Heart failure]]
+* [[Delirium]] or [[psychosis]]
+* [[Nausea]], [[vomiting]], and [[diarrhea]]
+* [[Jaundice]]
 == Diagnosis ==
-The diagnosis of thyroid storm is based on clinical criteria. The Burch-Wartofsky Point Scale (BWPS) is often used to assess the likelihood of thyroid storm based on various clinical parameters.
+Diagnosis of thyroid storm is primarily clinical, based on the presence of symptoms and a history of [[hyperthyroidism]]. Laboratory tests may show elevated levels of [[triiodothyronine]] (T3) and [[thyroxine]] (T4), with suppressed [[thyroid-stimulating hormone]] (TSH).
 == Treatment ==
-The treatment of thyroid storm involves supportive care, inhibition of thyroid hormone synthesis and release, inhibition of thyroid hormone effects, and treatment of the precipitating cause.
-== See Also ==
+Treatment of thyroid storm involves:
+* '''Antithyroid medications''': Such as [[propylthiouracil]] or [[methimazole]] to reduce thyroid hormone production.
+* '''Beta-blockers''': To control symptoms like tachycardia and hypertension.
+* '''Corticosteroids''': To reduce inflammation and inhibit peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
+* '''Supportive care''': Including [[intravenous fluids]], [[oxygen therapy]], and [[cooling blankets]] to manage fever.
+== Prognosis ==
+With prompt and appropriate treatment, the prognosis for thyroid storm can be good. However, if left untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as [[heart failure]], [[shock]], and [[death]].
+== Prevention ==
+Preventing thyroid storm involves proper management of underlying hyperthyroidism. Regular monitoring and adherence to prescribed treatments can help prevent the occurrence of a thyroid storm.
+== Related pages ==
 * [[Hyperthyroidism]]
-* [[Hypothyroidism]]
+* [[Graves' disease]]
-* [[Thyroid]]
+* [[Thyroid gland]]
+* [[Endocrinology]]
-== References ==
-<references />
 [[Category:Endocrine diseases]]
 [[Category:Medical emergencies]]
-[[Category:Thyroid disease]]
-{{Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases|group=5}}
-{{Medical emergencies}}
-{{Thyroid disease}}
-{{stub}}