| Thyroid storm, or thyrotoxicosis, is an emergency life | | | | taken and diagnostic testing will be performed to |
| threatening event caused by a deluge of thyroid | | | | analyze: |
| hormone dumped into the blood stream. This condition | | | | Blood cell count |
| requires immediate medical attention or sudden death | | | | Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium |
| can be imminent. Thyrotoxicosis can manifest in people | | | | Blood sugar level |
| with untreated hyperthyroidism. Additionally, it can have | | | | Thyroid hormone levels will also be tested |
| an onset due to surgical procedures performed on the | | | | Liver function test |
| thyroid, trauma, as well as viral or bacterial infectious | | | | Treatment: |
| agents. The patient is admitted to the critical care unit | | | | The goal of treatment in people suffering with thyroid |
| of the hospital for intensive treatment and care. | | | | storm is to decrease thyroid hormone levels, or to |
| Symptoms of Thyroid Storm (thyrotoxicosis): | | | | inhibit their production and release into the blood. This is |
| Increased body temperature | | | | accomplished in the following ways: |
| Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) | | | | The administration of PTU and methimazole in high |
| Nausea/vomiting | | | | dosages, will inhibit production of thyroid hormone. |
| Diarrhea | | | | Sodium iodide, potassium iodide, or Lugol's solution can |
| Heart palpitations | | | | be administered to prevent the secretion of thyroxin. |
| Heart failure | | | | Beta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA) |
| Pulmonary edema | | | | to control heart rate, and IV steroids to enhance |
| Confusion | | | | circulation. |
| Seizure | | | | Left untreated, thyroid storm treatment can result in: |
| Coma | | | | Coma |
| Abdominal pain | | | | Heart failure |
| Jaundice | | | | Liver failure |
| There is a large increase in blood thyroid hormone | | | | Stroke |
| level, accompanied by fever as high as 106 degrees. | | | | Death |
| This condition can be caused by the following factors | | | | Treatment also includes: |
| that include: | | | | Administration of IV fluids and electrolytes |
| Stopping the required hyperthyroidism medications | | | | Oxygen via nasal cannula or face mask |
| without consulting with the health care professional | | | | Medication and cooling towels to control fever |
| Ingesting too much of thyroid hormone causing an | | | | Vitamins and Antibiotics |
| overdose | | | | Iodine to block secretion of thyroid hormone |
| Radioactive iodine treatments | | | | Kidney dialysis |
| People with hyperactive thyroid conditions who are | | | | Sedatives to induce rest |
| suffering from severe infection or illness | | | | Propranolol and dexamethasone to block hormone |
| Myocardial infarction (heart attack) in a persons with | | | | synthesis |
| hyperactive thyroid | | | | Antithyroid drugs and potassium iodine |
| Anyone who has an overactive thyroid, or | | | | If you have a hyperactive thyroid, it is important to take |
| hyperthyroidism can develop thyroid storm. It occurs | | | | your medication as prescribed by your physician. You |
| when the thyroid secretes a large amount of thyroid | | | | can prevent thyroid storm by following your doctor's |
| hormone in a small amount of time. | | | | orders. Knowing the signs and symptoms of thyroid |
| Anyone with an overactive thyroid who has a fever, | | | | storm can prevent treatment delay and enable you to |
| rapid heart beat, with confusion, disorientation, should | | | | call 911 right away. |
| be hospitalized immediately. A medical history will be | | | | |