Thyroid storm

Thyroid storm (also called thyrotoxic crisis) is a rare but life-threatening condition in which the body is overwhelmed by extremely elevated levels of thyroid hormone. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate hospital care.

It typically occurs as a sudden deterioration in someone with undiagnosed or poorly controlled hyperthyroidism, often triggered by an acute stress such as serious illness, surgery, trauma, or childbirth.

Symptoms include dangerously fast heart rate (often above 140 beats per minute), very high fever, severe agitation, confusion, vomiting and diarrhoea, and in severe cases heart failure, coma, and death. Mortality remains significant even with treatment in an intensive care setting.

Treatment involves a combination of antithyroid drugs, iodine solutions, beta-blockers, steroids, and intensive supportive care. The best protection is ensuring any thyroid overactivity is identified and treated before it reaches crisis. If you are being treated for hyperthyroidism, always tell any doctor or medical team about your thyroid condition before a procedure or when you are seriously unwell.