• Department of Emergency, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.
• Am J Emerg Med. 2012 Nov 1;30(9):2094.e5-6.

AbstractWe describe a case of thyroid crisis with hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, multiple organ failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation--rare but severe complications of thyroid crisis. The patient was a 59-year-old Chinese woman who presented with evidence of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Analysis of a blood sample yielded astonishing results: her blood glucose was 1.7 mmol/L, and lactate greater than 15 mmol/L with the arterial pH as 6.94. Liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, 1846 U/L; aspartate aminotransferase, 6242 U/L) and bilirubin elevated rapidly and dramatically. Prompt treatments such as mechanical ventilation, plasma exchange, and continuous venovenous hemofiltration were preformed, along with antithyroid medication. The patient finally survived after 3 weeks of intensive care. We herein discuss the possible mechanisms of these metabolic disorders in thyroid crisis and possible therapeutic measures that could be used to reduce mortality.

19 keywords...

hide…