thyroid storm

noun

plural thyroid storms

: a sudden life-threatening exacerbation of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism (such as high fever, rapid heartbeat, or jaundice) that is brought on by various causes (such as infection, surgery, or stress)

Hyperthyroidism affects about 1 percent of the population, and only 1 percent of those ever suffer thyroid storm.

—Tony Dajer

Careful attention to patient history (such as history of untreated hyperthyroidism or evidence of goiter on admission) is critical to an early diagnosis of thyroid storm.

—Stephanie Davis et al.

Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition caused by overproduction of hormones in the thyroid. … Untreated, it leads to a wide range of serious complications in the body, including weakened bones, heart damage, eye problems, and thyroid storms …

—Thomas Crisp

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

thyroid storm

noun

: a sudden life-threatening exacerbation of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism (such as high fever, tachycardia, agitation, jaundice, or diarrhea) that is brought on by various causes (such as infection, surgery, or stress)

Thyroid storm is a rare presentation of hyperthyroidism that may occur after a stressful illness in a patient with untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism and is characterized by delirium, severe tachycardia, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

—P. Maheshwari et al., Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

called also thyrotoxic crisis