Managing thyrotoxicosis in the acute medical setting.

ABSTRACT

Thyrotoxicosis is common and can present in numerous ways with patients exhibiting a myriad of symptoms and signs. It affects around 1 in 2000 people annually in Europe1. The thyroid gland produces two thyroid hormones - thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroxine is inactive and is converted by the tissues and organs that need it into tri-iodothyronine. In health, the production of these thyroid hormones is tightly regulated by the secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH; thyrotropin) from the pituitary gland. The term 'thyrotoxicosis' refers to the clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism.