Neurological Manifestations of Thyroid Disease Follow-up

  • Author: Gabriel Bucurescu, MD, MS; Chief Editor: Nicholas Lorenzo, MD   more...
 
Updated: Oct 17, 2011
 

Further Inpatient Care

  • Neurologic manifestations in thyroid diseases are manageable on an outpatient basis. Therapy is maintained for months (if not years). In most cases, neurologic abnormalities slowly resolve.
  • Thyroid storm and myxedema coma are exceptions. Both are emergencies that require aggressive treatment in the ICU. The mortality rate of thyroid storm can be as high as 20-40%. The symptoms usually are exaggerated manifestations of the symptoms seen in hyperthyroidism; a superimposed infection and the stress associated with it would exacerbate the symptoms. Fever, abdominal pain, delirium, and psychosis can occur. The patient may become obtunded. Thyroid storm should be suspected in any patient with severe hyperpyrexia, tachycardia, and a goiter.
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Further Outpatient Care

Pregnant patients require follow-up at least monthly. Closely observe these newborns for thyroid disease.

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Prognosis

Prognosis is generally good, since most symptoms are reversible with correction of the underlying problem.

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Patient Education

For patient education resources, see the Endocrine System Center, as well as Thyroid Problems.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Gabriel Bucurescu, MD, MS  Staff Neurologist, Neurology Service, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Gabriel Bucurescu, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, and American Epilepsy Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Thomas A Kent, MD  Professor and Director of Stroke Research and Education, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine; Chief of Neurology, Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Thomas A Kent, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Neurological Association, New York Academy of Sciences, Royal Society of Medicine, Sigma Xi, and Stroke Council of the American Heart Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Agapito S Lorenzo, MD  Laboratory Director, Associate Professor, Departments of Neurology, Creighton University and University of Nebraska Medical Center

Agapito S Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Nicholas Lorenzo, MD  Consulting Staff, Neurology Specialists and Consultants

Nicholas Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Neurology, and American College of Physician Executives

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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