Thyroid Storm
Answers to common questions about thyroid storm.
Questions on this page
What is thyroid storm?
Thyroid storm, also called thyrotoxic crisis, is a rare but life-threatening complication of severe thyrotoxicosis.
It requires immediate hospital treatment.
Who is at risk of thyroid storm?
It usually occurs in people with uncontrolled or inadequately treated hyperthyroidism, particularly when another major stress occurs.
What can trigger thyroid storm?
Potential triggers include:
- Severe infection
- Surgery
- Major trauma
- Acute illness
- Abrupt interruption of antithyroid medication
- Childbirth
- Other major physiological stress
What are the symptoms?
Possible features include:
- Very rapid heartbeat
- High fever
- Severe agitation or confusion
- Profuse sweating
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Severe weakness
- Heart failure
- Reduced consciousness
Is thyroid storm diagnosed by a thyroid blood test alone?
No.
Thyroid storm is primarily a clinical diagnosis. Thyroid hormone levels may not be dramatically different from those seen in severe but uncomplicated hyperthyroidism.
What should I do if thyroid storm is suspected?
Seek emergency hospital treatment immediately.
Treatment requires management of the thyrotoxicosis as well as supportive treatment of complications such as fever, cardiovascular instability and organ dysfunction.