#36 Thyroid Storm Symptoms - How to Prevent and Treat this Condition
Today is all about the condition known as Thyroid Storm. But what exactly is a thyroid storm? It's best understood as a condition that results from hyperthyroidism but it's unique in that it is considered a medical emergency.
A medical emergency is any condition which must be treated as soon as possible or it may lead to death in the person experiencing it.
Thyroid storm is most commonly caused by the same conditions that cause hyperthyroidism, the most common being Graves' disease. But, it can also arise spontaneously in patients who have hyperthyroidism but also experience a dramatic illness or condition. Conditions such as having a heart attack, going into DKA, or becoming pregnant have all been known to trigger thyroid storm.
The symptoms of thyroid storm include:
- Fever (or thermoregulatory dysfunction)
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- The rapid development of heart conditions such as heart failure, heart attack or atrial fibrillation
- Swelling or edema of the extremities
- Neurological dysfunction ranging from agitation to seizures or coma
- Gastrointestinal issues ranging from diarrhea to jaundice or liver failure
This condition can be prevented in most cases with the proper treatment of conditions that cause hyperthyroidism.
The treatment for this condition includes the 5 B's:
#1. Block Synthesis (Use antithyroid drugs such as Methimazole or PTU which prevent your body from making more thyroid hormone).
#2. Block release (Using high doses of iodine can prevent your thyroid gland from releasing more thyroid hormone through the Wolff-Chaikoff effect).
#3. Block T4 to T3 conversion (By using high doses steroids or PTU. These medications prevent your body from "activating" thyroid hormone).
#4. Beta-blockers (10) (Beta blockers are medications which can slow down the cellular effects of thyroid hormone and reduce heart rate and tremors).
#5. Block gastrointestinal circulation (Using binders such as cholestyramine prevent your own body from activating and reabsorbing thyroid hormone).
Thyroid storm has a mortality rate of about 10-20% so it is considered a very serious medical condition that must be treated as soon as possible.
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- For thyroid hormone production and conversion: https://www.restartmed.com/product/th... + https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3...
- For hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/product/th...
- For weight management: https://www.restartmed.com/product/gu... + https://www.restartmed.com/product/fu...
- For gut health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/ul...
- For energy and adrenal health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/th... + https://www.restartmed.com/product/po...
I'm Dr. Westin Childs and I focus on thyroid health, hormone balance, and weight loss. I write about thyroid disorders, weight loss, insulin resistance, estrogen/progesterone balance on my blog. I truly believe that hormone balance is the key to managing your weight, your mood and your quality of life which is why I'm so passionate about it.
You can learn more about high-quality supplements that I create (and personally use) here:
https://www.restartmed.com/shop/
You can find more general information on my site here:
https://www.restartmed.com/
If you enjoyed this video please subscribe on youtube or leave a comment on my podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high-quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
A medical emergency is any condition which must be treated as soon as possible or it may lead to death in the person experiencing it.
Thyroid storm is most commonly caused by the same conditions that cause hyperthyroidism, the most common being Graves' disease. But, it can also arise spontaneously in patients who have hyperthyroidism but also experience a dramatic illness or condition. Conditions such as having a heart attack, going into DKA, or becoming pregnant have all been known to trigger thyroid storm.
The symptoms of thyroid storm include:
- Fever (or thermoregulatory dysfunction)
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- The rapid development of heart conditions such as heart failure, heart attack or atrial fibrillation
- Swelling or edema of the extremities
- Neurological dysfunction ranging from agitation to seizures or coma
- Gastrointestinal issues ranging from diarrhea to jaundice or liver failure
This condition can be prevented in most cases with the proper treatment of conditions that cause hyperthyroidism.
The treatment for this condition includes the 5 B's:
#1. Block Synthesis (Use antithyroid drugs such as Methimazole or PTU which prevent your body from making more thyroid hormone).
#2. Block release (Using high doses of iodine can prevent your thyroid gland from releasing more thyroid hormone through the Wolff-Chaikoff effect).
#3. Block T4 to T3 conversion (By using high doses steroids or PTU. These medications prevent your body from "activating" thyroid hormone).
#4. Beta-blockers (10) (Beta blockers are medications which can slow down the cellular effects of thyroid hormone and reduce heart rate and tremors).
#5. Block gastrointestinal circulation (Using binders such as cholestyramine prevent your own body from activating and reabsorbing thyroid hormone).
Thyroid storm has a mortality rate of about 10-20% so it is considered a very serious medical condition that must be treated as soon as possible.
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- For thyroid hormone production and conversion: https://www.restartmed.com/product/th... + https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3...
- For hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/product/th...
- For weight management: https://www.restartmed.com/product/gu... + https://www.restartmed.com/product/fu...
- For gut health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/ul...
- For energy and adrenal health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/th... + https://www.restartmed.com/product/po...
I'm Dr. Westin Childs and I focus on thyroid health, hormone balance, and weight loss. I write about thyroid disorders, weight loss, insulin resistance, estrogen/progesterone balance on my blog. I truly believe that hormone balance is the key to managing your weight, your mood and your quality of life which is why I'm so passionate about it.
You can learn more about high-quality supplements that I create (and personally use) here:
https://www.restartmed.com/shop/
You can find more general information on my site here:
https://www.restartmed.com/
If you enjoyed this video please subscribe on youtube or leave a comment on my podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high-quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
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