Thyroid Storm???

[logical]

I have seen this term used before and I just wanted to know more about it. Is it an actual medical term or one that best suits the circumstances or maybe both?? Please explain. Thanks

Logical

[j9529]

I suffered from a sepsis infection but since I was already battling a hyperthyroid my body was ready to give up. The sepsis infection caused a thyroid storm in my body. I was hospitalized for a week and the doctors all said I was lucky to get there when I did. I was also having seizures. To this day I still battle my thyroid off and on....  and right now it feel really bad. I just got over the flu. it seems any illness can trigger it.

[utahmomma]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that my fever at the ER last night was 102 degrees (US).  The blood pressure really had the doctor worried, he kept mentioning it was getting close to stroke level (my diastolic level was 111).  :-(

I was watching my symptoms against the symptoms for thyroid storm:  http://thyroid.about.com/od/hyperthyroidismgraves/a/thyroidstorm.htm

My daughter (a CNA) stopped by last evening right around 11:30 p.m. and checked my pulse - it was about 140bpm when she checked it (three times) so I decided to grab my coat, a good book, and rush to the ER.  Glad I did.

Still taking Beta blockers today but only have had to take 2.  The ER doc and the Endo said I should be out of trouble by Sunday and able to resume my LOWER dose of Synthroid.

[GravesLady]

Thyroid storm is a crisis or life-threatening condition characterized by an exaggeration of the usual physiologic response seen in hyperthyroidism. Whereas hyperthyroidism can cause symptoms such as sweating, feeling hot, palpitations and weight loss - symptoms of thyroid storm are more severe, resulting in complications such as: fever, rapid heart rate, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heart beat, weakness, heart failure , and confusion/disorientation.

Fever tends to be one of the main symptoms of thyroid storm and can be as high as 105-106F. The actual diagnosis of thyroid storm is made on the basis of suspicion in patients with symptoms, and in the setting of elevated blood levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). Conditions such as severe sepsis, pheochromocytoma, and malignant hyperthermia can mimic thyroid storm.

Causes of thyroid storm may include: discontinuing needed medications for hyperthyroidism, over-replacement of thyroid hormone, recent treatment with radioactive iodine, severe infection or illness, usually in a patient with hyperthyroidism, severe medical stressors, such as heart attack, in a patient with hyperthyroidism .