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A thyroid crisis is a medical emergency and must be treated in a hospital. It occurs as a result of the worsening symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The failure of many organs and systems appears then. A thyroid crisis is treated by lowering the levels of thyroid hormones and antibiotics.
Thyroid crisis – causes
The cause of a thyroid crisis may be: bacterial or viral infection, surgery (in particular – concerning the thyroid gland), administration of a therapeutic dose of radioiodine, use of iodine contrast, sudden discontinuation of thyreostatic treatment (drugs used in hyperthyroidism), diabetic acidosis, hypoglycaemia (decreased blood glucose) and trauma.
Thyroid crisis – symptoms
Symptoms characteristic of a thyroid crisis are:
- fever above 38 degrees
- increased heart rate (tachycardia) – over 140 beats per minute,
- heart failure
- Heart arythmia,
- nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- jaundice of the skin and mucous membranes – due to liver damage,
- agitation, psychotic symptoms or somnolence, coma.
Based on the above symptoms, your doctor can make a definitive diagnosis. There are no laboratory criteria for diagnosing a thyroid crisis. Thyroid hormone levels are usually high in the blood, but often their levels are no different from uncomplicated hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid crisis – treatment
Due to the complex pathogenesis and the risk of life threatening, the treatment of thyroid crisis is intensive and multidirectional. Can be run only in hospital conditions! The improvement in the general condition can be observed within 12-24 hours of the treatment. In terms of mental changes, this period may be slightly longer (72-96 hours).
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