Management of severe thyrotoxicosis when the gastrointestinal tract is compromised.
BACKGROUND
The management of patients with severe thyrotoxicosis in the absence of a functional gastrointestinal tract represents an uncommon but significant clinical challenge associated with a high mortality rate. This article offers a literature review and discussion of the available management options in this setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of severe thyrotoxicosis in patients unable to ingest medications by the oral route should focus on normalization of thyroid hormone levels utilizing conventional medical therapy for thyrotoxicosis, administered via non-oral routes. This includes thionamides, beta-blockers, iodine containing solutions, and glucocorticoids. When conventional medical therapy fails, plasmapheresis should be considered as a temporary therapeutic bridge until conventional therapies can be instituted effectively or emergent surgery performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Although a rare scenario, the management of patients with severe thyrotoxicosis in the absence of a functional gastrointestinal tract represents a challenging clinical situation. Endocrinologists and critical care physicians should be apprised of the available treatment modalities which must be instituted swiftly in order to avoid a catastrophic outcome.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Taibah University, Madinah Monwarha, Saudi Arabia. alfadhli2005@yahoo.com
Eman
E
Alfadhli
Andrew G
AG
Gianoukakis
D000328:Adult; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010670:Phenylthiourea / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013958:Thyroid Crisis / Q000150:complications; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
D010670:Phenylthiourea