Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2025
04:39
Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model
Published on: March 17, 2023
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Thyroid Storm-Induced Acute Liver Dysfunction and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Yungmin Kim1, Dawa Gurung1, Vikram Sumbly1
1Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, New York, USA.
Cureus
|August 25, 2021
Summary
Thyroid storm can cause a rare but dangerous complication called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Prompt treatment with methimazole led to a patient's recovery from this critical condition.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Hematology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder, can lead to thyroid storm, a life-threatening condition.
- Thyroid storm can rarely trigger disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a complex hematological emergency.
- The precise mechanisms linking thyroid storm to DIC are not fully understood but involve inflammatory cytokines and coagulation cascade activation.
Observation:
- A 48-year-old female presented with symptoms suggestive of thyroid storm, including abdominal pain, dyspnea, and weight loss.
- Clinical evaluation and laboratory tests confirmed thyroid storm with concurrent disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and acute liver injury.
- The patient exhibited hemodynamic instability due to multi-organ failure.
Findings:
- The case highlights a rare but severe complication of untreated or undertreated Graves' disease.
- Early recognition and management of thyroid storm are crucial to prevent life-threatening consequences like DIC.
- Methimazole therapy was initiated for the patient's thyroid storm.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring for DIC in patients with thyroid storm.
- Effective management of hyperthyroidism is key to preventing severe complications.
- Further research into the pathogenesis of thyroid storm-induced DIC may reveal novel therapeutic targets.
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