Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Nov 1983
Endocrine emergencies. Adrenal crisis, myxedema coma, and thyroid storm.
Each of the endocrine emergencies discussed here--adrenal crisis, myxedema coma, and thyroid storm--represents decompensation of a long-standing endocrine disorder and is precipitated in most cases by some stressful event. Each necessitates immediate, aggressive therapy. ⋯ Although some risks may be inherent in this approach, they are minimal compared with the risks of delaying therapy until laboratory confirmation can be obtained. Immediate therapy consists of specific measures to correct the hormone deficit or excess; the precipitating cause should then be sought and treated.