Simultaneous presentation of thyroid storm and diabetic ketoacidosis in a previously healthy 21-year-old man

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Jan 28;12(1):bcr-2018-227554. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-227554.

Abstract

A 21-year-old young man with no history of diabetes or thyroid disease presented to the emergency department with simultaneous thyroid storm and diabetic ketoacidosis. Notable findings on admission were a ventricular rate of 235 beats/min, tachypnoea, tremors, polydipsia and a lack of fever. Due to the unusual constellation of symptoms, diagnosis was only possible after initial laboratory results came back. While the lack of fever is unusual in thyroid storm, diabetic ketoacidosis has previously been reported to suppress fever, and this case supports the occurrence of this phenomenon. This case was highly unusual because the patient had not previously been diagnosed with either type 1 diabetes or Graves' disease.

Keywords: diabetes; hyperthyroidism; thyroid disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antithyroid Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / complications*
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / diagnosis
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis / drug therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / therapeutic use
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Methimazole
  • Propranolol / therapeutic use
  • Propylthiouracil / therapeutic use
  • Tachycardia / complications
  • Tachycardia / drug therapy
  • Thyroid Crisis / complications*
  • Thyroid Crisis / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Crisis / drug therapy
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antithyroid Agents
  • Insulin
  • Methimazole
  • Propylthiouracil
  • Propranolol
  • Hydrocortisone