Thyroid emergencies

Abstract

Thyroid storm is a rapid decompensation of severe hyperthyroidism which can best be described by the three criteria of hyperthermia, tachycardia and altered mental state with severe agitation. There has to be a precipitating factor such as infection, iodine contamination, surgery or even I-131 treatment. Severe hyperthyroidism not fulfilling the criteria of thyroid storm can also be an indication for emergency treatment, particularly in the elderly with heart disease. Suppressed serum TSH and elevated free T4 levels are essential to confirm the diagnosis. When rapidly available, radioiodine uptake of the thyroid can be useful. Therapy aims at rapidly reducing the active circulating hormone pool, hypermetabolic state, tachycardia, and finally hormone synthesis. Thyroid secretion can be blocked by ioipanoic acid or ipodate while hypermetabolic state can be reduced with beta-blockers or calcium channel-blockers. Treatment of hyperthyroidism in patients with iodine contamination is a real therapeutic challenge. Myxoedema coma, a complication of severe hypothyroidism, is defined by hypothermia (rectal temperature less than 36 degrees C), bradycardia, slow mentation, precipitating factor such as infection or drug overdose, and increased serum creatine phosphokinase levels. Diagnosis of severe hypothyroidism should be confirmed by serum measurements of TSH and free T4. Treatment consists of general supporting measures including rewarming, correction of serum electrolyte disturbances, and adequate alimentation. Thyroid hormone treatment should initially be aggressive using either 300-400 micrograms of T4 or 20-40 micrograms of T3 intravenously. Cortisone therapy may be added. Patients should be under close monitoring as arrhythmias and myocardial infarction are frequent complications of myxoedema coma and/or its treatment with thyroid hormones.