Thyroid storm overview

Thyroid Storm Overview

The thyroid gland, located at the front part of the neck, is responsible for making thyroid hormone that is important for all body cells to work properly.

In certain conditions, the thyroid becomes over-active and produces too much of its hormone, a situation called hyperthyroidism. People with hyperthyroidism have problems that reflect over-activity of the organs of the body, resulting in symptoms such as sweating, feeling hot, rapid heartbeats, weight loss, and sometimes eye problems. When the levels of thyroid hormones become very high in a patient who has hyperthyroidism, the symptoms get worse and can result in a serious condition called thyroid storm. One major sign of thyroid storm that differentiates it from plain hyperthyroidism is a marked elevation of body temperature. Thyroid storm is unusual, but when it occurs, it is a life-threatening emergency. People experiencing symptoms of thyroid storm should be taken to a hospital's accident and emergency department.

Recommended Related to

Thermal (Heat or Fire) Burns

Many of us have picked up a hot pan on a grill or have felt the steam from a super-hot bowl of vegetables in the microwave. Who hasn't reached into the oven and accidentally touched a red-hot rack or cookie sheet? Children often become burned when they unknowingly pull a hot cup of coffee off a countertop. The type of burn and the severity of the burn depend on the number of layers of skin affected. Most burns are mild, but some may be severe. Most importantly, 75% of burns are estimated to...

Read the Thermal (Heat or Fire) Burns article > >

Thyroid storm triggers

Infections
Injury or trauma
Recent thyroid surgery
Stopping medications given for hyperthyroidism
Too high a dose of thyroid hormone
Treatment with radioactive iodine
Pregnancy
Heart attack or heart emergencies

Thyroid storm symptoms

Rapid heart beats
Greatly increased body temperature
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Anxiety and irritability
Disorientation
Increased sweating
Weakness
Heart failure

When to seek medical advice

If you have any of the following conditions, then seek medical advice immediately:

Fever
Very rapid heart beats
Confusion and disorientation
Significant fatigue and exhaustion

Friends or family members of anyone experiencing symptoms of thyroid storm who may not be able to function normally should take the individual to an A&E department immediately.

Examinations and tests

The following tests are usually performed: blood tests to check blood cell count, electrolyte levels, sugar level, and thyroid hormone levels. Liver function tests are also usually performed.

Thyroid storm treatment - self-care at home

People experiencing thyroid storm are not able to function normally. This is a life-threatening emergency. People experiencing symptoms of thyroid storm should be taken to the A&E department.

Medical treatment

A complete evaluation to determine the cause of thyroid storm
Intravenous fluids and electrolytes
Oxygen if needed
Fever control with antipyretics (fever-reducing medication) and if needed cooling blankets
Intravenous corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone
Medication to block the production of thyroid hormones
Iodide to block thyroid hormone release
Block the action of thyroid hormones on the cells by drugs called beta-blockers
Treatment of heart failure if present

Next steps

Following the start of treatment, careful monitoring, usually in the intensive care unit, is necessary.
Following recovery from thyroid storm, options for definitive treatment are radioactive iodine or antithyroid medications; surgery is rarely needed.