A drug used to treat hyperthyroidism or to control its symptoms before a thyroidectomy.
Possible adverse effects include itching, headache, rash, joint pain, and decreased production of white blood cells.
An oral antithyroid drug given daily to a person with HYPERTHYROIDISM. It interferes with the body’s production of thyroid hormones.
n. a *thionamide antithyroid drug that is used to treat *thyrotoxicosis and to prepare patients for surgical removal of the thyroid gland. Side-effects may include rashes and digestive upsets.
(thyroid storm) a life-threatening condition due to an acute and severe exacerbation of previously undiagnosed or inadequately treated *thyrotoxicosis. It often follows infections, childbirth, nonthyroid surgery, or trauma but can occur without an obvious cause. The presenting features are a fever, severe agitation, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pains. An accelerated heart rate and irregularity of the heart rhythm can cause heart failure, and psychotic episodes or coma can result. Blood tests will reveal hyperthyroidism and may also show altered liver function, high blood sugar, high calcium levels, a high white blood cell count, and often anaemia. Treatment is with intravenous fluids, oxygen, antithyroid drugs (such as *carbimazole or *propylthiouracil), high-dose iodide solution (see Lugol’s solution), high-dose steroids, and beta blockers. The patient must be cooled and given antipyretics, such as paracetamol. Any underlying cause must also be treated.... thyroid crisis
n. the syndrome due to excessive amounts of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream, causing a rapid heartbeat, sweating, tremor, anxiety, increased appetite, loss of weight, and intolerance of heat. Causes include simple overactivity of the gland, a hormone-secreting benign tumour or carcinoma of the thyroid, and Graves’ disease (exophthalmic goitre), in which there are additional symptoms including swelling of the neck (goitre) due to enlargement of the gland and protrusion of the eyes (exophthalmos). Treatment may be by surgical removal of the thyroid gland, *radioactive iodine therapy to destroy part of the gland, or by the use of drugs (such as *carbimazole or *propylthiouracil) that interfere with the production of thyroid hormones. —thyrotoxic adj.... thyrotoxicosis
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