Thyroid Storm Overview
Learn About Thyroid Storm
Thyroid storm is a rare life-threatening condition of the thyroid gland. It develops in cases of untreated hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid (thyrotoxicosis).
The thyroid gland is located in the neck, just above where your collarbones meet in the middle.
Thyrotoxic storm; Thyrotoxic crisis; Hyperthyroid storm; Accelerated hyperthyroidism; Thyroid crisis; Thyrotoxicosis - thyroid storm
Thyroid storm occurs in people with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism due to a major stress such as:
- Trauma
- Heart attack
- Infection
Rarely, thyroid storm can be caused by radioactive iodine therapy for Graves disease. This can occur even a week or more after treatment.
Symptoms are severe and may include any of the following:
- Agitation
- Change in alertness (consciousness)
- Confusion
- Diarrhea
- Increased temperature
- Pounding heart (tachycardia)
- Restlessness
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Bulging eyeballs
Thyroid storm is a medical emergency. It is life threatening. Often, the person needs to be admitted to the intensive care unit. Treatment may include:
- Oxygen therapy for breathing problems
- Fluids for dehydration
- Cooling blankets to return the body temperature to normal
- Monitoring any excess fluid in older people with heart or kidney disease
- Medicines to manage agitation
- Medicine to slow the heart rate
- Vitamins and glucose
The goal of treatment is to decrease thyroid hormone levels in the blood. Sometimes, high doses of iodine is given to try and stun the thyroid. Other medicines known as thionamides may be given to lower the hormone level in the blood. Beta blocker medicines are often given by vein (IV) to slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and block the effects of the thyroid hormone excess. In some severe cases, glucocorticoids (steroids) are given.
Antibiotics are given in case of infection.
Takashi Akamizu practices in Japan. Mr. Akamizu is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Thyroid Storm. His top areas of expertise are Thyroid Storm, Hyperthyroidism, Graves Disease, Thyroidectomy, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Tetsurou Satoh practices in Japan. Satoh is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Thyroid Storm. Their top areas of expertise are Thyroid Storm, Hyperthyroidism, Adrenal Gland Adenoma, and Adrenal Cancer.
Shu Wakino practices in Tokushima, Japan. Wakino is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Thyroid Storm. Their top areas of expertise are Thyroid Storm, Diabetic Nephropathy, Interstitial Nephritis, Nephrectomy, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.
Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) may occur. Heart failure and fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) can develop rapidly and cause death.
This is an emergency condition. Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have hyperthyroidism and experience symptoms of thyroid storm.
To prevent thyroid storm, hyperthyroidism should be treated.
Published Date: February 28, 2024
Published By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Pearce EN, Hollenberg AN. Thyroid. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 207.
Thiessen MEW. Thyroid and adrenal disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 117.
Weetman AP, Kahaly GJ. Graves disease. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 71.