The Journal of family practice
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The prevalence of symptoms in thyrotoxicosis at the time of diagnosis has received little attention in studies of this condition. Vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain have not been included as common presenting symptoms for thyrotoxicosis in standard textbooks of medicine and endocrinology. Some reports in the medical literature, however, indicate that these abdominal symptoms may be important manifestations of this condition. ⋯ Of 25 thyrotoxic patients who had thyrotoxicosis diagnosed during or immediately prior to admission, 44% reported vomiting, 28% reported nausea, and 20% complained of abdominal pain. One or more of these abdominal symptoms were included as a chief complaint in 36% of cases reviewed. Further study of the clinical presentation of thyrotoxicosis in the outpatient setting is needed to improve the timeliness and cost effectiveness of the clinical diagnosis of this condition.