Thyroid Storm Precipitated by Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Influenza A: A Case Report and Literature Review

Intern Med. 2017;56(2):181-185. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.56.7593. Epub 2017 Jan 15.

Abstract

A 46-year-old woman with a history of Graves' disease presented with the chief complaints of appetite loss, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, and sweating. She was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), thyroid storm, and influenza A. She was treated with an intravenous insulin drip, intravenous fluid therapy, intravenous hydrocortisone, oral potassium iodine, and oral methimazole. As methimazole-induced neutropenia was suspected, the patient underwent thyroidectomy. It is important to maintain awareness that thyroid storm and DKA can coexist. Furthermore, even patients who have relatively preserved insulin secretion can develop DKA if thyroid storm and infection develop simultaneously.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Antithyroid Agents / administration & dosage
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / blood
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / complications
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / diagnosis*
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / drug therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fluid Therapy
  • Graves Disease*
  • Humans
  • Influenza, Human / blood
  • Influenza, Human / complications
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis*
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Methimazole / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Thyroid Crisis / blood
  • Thyroid Crisis / complications
  • Thyroid Crisis / diagnosis*
  • Thyroid Crisis / drug therapy
  • Thyroidectomy

Substances

  • Antithyroid Agents
  • Insulin
  • Methimazole