OverviewWhat is thyrotoxicosis?Thyrotoxicosis is a condition in which you have too much thyroid hormone in your body. Show
Your thyroid — the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck — makes and releases two hormones: triiodothyronine (also called T3) and thyroxine (also called T4). Together, they are referred to as thyroid hormones. Your thyroid and thyroid hormones play a large role in many important bodily functions, such as your body temperature, heart rate and metabolism. Metabolism is the pace at which your body processes things — how fast it burns the food you consume to make energy and heat. When you have thyrotoxicosis, the excess amount of thyroid hormones in your body launches your metabolism into high speed, which can cause symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) and weight loss and certain complications. Is thyrotoxicosis the same as hyperthyroidism?Hyperthyroidism is a type of thyrotoxicosis. Hyperthyroidism happens specifically when your thyroid gland both produces and releases excess thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism is often called overactive thyroid. Thyrotoxicosis happens when you have too much thyroid hormone in your body in general. You could have too much thyroid hormone from taking too much thyroid medication, for example. This would be thyrotoxicosis, not hyperthyroidism. Who does thyrotoxicosis affect?Anyone can get thyrotoxicosis, but females are more commonly affected by thyrotoxicosis than males, and the likelihood of thyrotoxicosis increases with age. How common is thyrotoxicosis?Thyrotoxicosis is relatively rare. It happens to approximately 2% of females and 0.2% of males. Symptoms and CausesWhat are the signs and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis?Symptoms of thyrotoxicosis are generally the same in mild and moderate cases, but they're usually more intense the more severe the thyrotoxicosis is. Signs and symptoms of mild and moderate thyrotoxicosis include:
A severe case of thyrotoxicosis is called thyroid storm, or thyroid crisis. This condition is rare and requires immediate medical attention, as it can be life-threatening. Symptoms of thyroid storm (severe thyrotoxicosis) include:
What causes thyrotoxicosis?Many conditions and situations can cause thyrotoxicosis, including:
Diagnosis and TestsHow is thyrotoxicosis diagnosed?Healthcare providers diagnose someone with thyrotoxicosis if blood tests show that they have elevated thyroid hormone levels (raised thyroxine and/or triiodothyronine) and low or undetectable levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). If you’ve been diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis, your provider will also need to determine what’s causing it, which could lead to another diagnosis. What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?Your healthcare provider can use many different tests and exams to help diagnose your thyrotoxicosis and its cause, including:
Physical examIf you’re experiencing symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, during a physical exam in your healthcare provider’s office they may physically check the following:
Blood testsYour healthcare provider may take a blood sample to look for high levels of thyroid hormones. This is called thyroid function testing. When you have thyrotoxicosis, your levels of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) are higher than usual and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a hormone your pituitary gland makes, is lower than it should be. The level of TSH in your blood is important because it signals your thyroid gland to produce thyroxine. Imaging testsTaking a closer look at your thyroid can help your provider diagnose thyrotoxicosis and the possible cause of it. Imaging tests your provider could use to examine your thyroid include:
Management and TreatmentHow is thyrotoxicosis treated?Treatment for thyrotoxicosis depends on what’s causing it. Your healthcare provider will need to determine the cause of your thyrotoxicosis in order to recommend the best treatment for you. Treatment options for thyrotoxicosis include:
PreventionWhat are the risk factors for thyrotoxicosis?Risk factors for thyrotoxicosis include:
How can I prevent thyrotoxicosis?Most cases of thyrotoxicosis aren’t preventable. If you’re taking thyroid medication, you can prevent thyrotoxicosis by never taking more medication than your healthcare provider has prescribed you. Taking too much thyroid medication can lead to thyrotoxicosis. Outlook / PrognosisWhat is the prognosis (outlook) for thyrotoxicosis?The outlook for people with thyrotoxicosis is generally good. There are several effective forms of treatment and therapy for thyrotoxicosis, and just like all treatments, they all have advantages and disadvantages. Together you and your healthcare provider will determine the best treatment plan for you. How long does thyrotoxicosis last?How long your thyrotoxicosis lasts depends on what’s causing it and what kind of treatment you’re taking for it. For example, if you have Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that causes hyperthyroidism, and it’s not treated, you’ll have thyrotoxicosis until your Graves’ disease is treated. If you have thyroiditis from a viral or bacterial infection, you may have thyrotoxicosis until your thyroiditis goes away or is treated. Different treatments for thyrotoxicosis also take different amounts of time. Your healthcare provider will let you know when you can expect to feel better. Are there complications of thyrotoxicosis?If thyrotoxicosis is untreated or undertreated, it can cause complications. Complications from thyrotoxicosis most commonly occur in people who have untreated hyperthyroidism, especially Graves’ disease. Complications of thyrotoxicosis include:
Living WithWhen should I see my healthcare provider?If you’re experiencing symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, it’s important to see your healthcare provider so that they can figure out the cause and recommend proper treatment. If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic thyrotoxicosis (usually a form of hyperthyroidism), it’s important to see your healthcare provider regularly to make sure your treatment is working well. What questions should I ask my doctor?If you’ve been diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis, it may be helpful to ask your healthcare provider the following questions:
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the difference between hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis and thyroid storm?While these three conditions are all related and have to do with excess thyroid hormone, they are different. Hyperthyroidism happens when your thyroid both makes and releases too much thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism is most commonly caused by an autoimmune condition called Graves’ disease or thyroid nodules. Thyroid storm is a life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism in which your thyroid suddenly makes and releases a large amount of thyroid hormone in a short amount of time. Thyroid storm is rare and requires immediate medical attention. Thyrotoxicosis happens when you have too much thyroid hormone in your body in general. It can be caused by hyperthyroidism or other conditions like thyroiditis, which is when something causes your thyroid to leak thyroid hormone. Taking too much thyroid medication can also cause thyrotoxicosis. Is thyrotoxicosis an emergency?Even though it has “toxic” in its name, most cases of thyrotoxicosis are not medical emergencies, but it’s still very important to see your healthcare provider and get treatment if you have symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. Although it’s rare, you can have an extreme case of thyrotoxicosis called thyroid storm or thyroid crisis. It happens when your thyroid suddenly starts making and releasing large amounts of thyroid hormone. This can be life-threatening and is a medical emergency. If you’re experiencing symptoms of thyroid storm, such as feeling very agitated and confused and having a high fever, get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. A note from Cleveland Clinic Although it may sound scary, thyrotoxicosis is a manageable and treatable condition. If you’re experiencing symptoms of thyrotoxicosis or have certain risk factors for getting it, be sure to contact your healthcare provider. They can have you undergo some simple tests to see if you have too much thyroid hormone in your body. What medication would the nurse anticipate for the treatment of hypothyroidism?Levothyroxine is the preferred form of thyroid hormone replacement in all patients with hypothyroidism.
What are the medications recommended for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism?They include methimazole (Tapazole) and propylithiouracil. Symptoms usually begin to improve within several weeks to months, but treatment with anti-thyroid medications typically continues at least a year and often longer.
What drugs can be used to treat patients with hyperthyroidism?Medicines called thionamides are commonly used to treat an overactive thyroid. They stop your thyroid producing excess hormones. The main types used are carbimazole and propylthiouracil. You'll usually need to take the medicine for 1 to 2 months before you notice any benefit.
Which medication might have caused hypothyroidism in a neonate?Antithyroid drugs like propylthiouracil or methimazole can cross the placenta and cause decrease in thyroid hormone production in the fetus, which lasts for a few days to 2 weeks from birth. These babies may develop airway problems due to enlarged thyroid glands, especially in severe cases.
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