Thyroid Storm Caused by Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Thyroid storm in pregnancy: a review

BACKGROUND

Thyroid storm is a state of circulating thyroid hormone excess leading to multiorgan dysfunction and systemic decompensation. It typically occurs in the setting of poorly controlled hyperthyroidism and a precipitating illness or event. Management of thyroid storm in pregnancy poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

MAIN BODY

Thyroid storm is a clinical diagnosis characterized by hyperpyrexia, tachyarrhythmias, congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disturbances. However, diagnostic scoring systems have not been validated in pregnancy. Treatment involves specialist consultation, supportive care, and pharmacological options such as anti-thyroid medications, beta blockers, iodine solutions, glucocorticoids, and cholestyramine. These must be adapted and modified in pregnancy to prevent fetal and maternal complications.

CONCLUSION

There is a critical need to recognize thyroid storm during pregnancy and initiate proper medical interventions promptly.

Correlation between serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels and thyroid metabolic function in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum

As previously demonstrated, serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) is linked to identifying early gestational abnormalities. This research was aimed at investigating the correlation between serum β-hCG levels and thyroid metabolic function in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Ninety-one pregnant women with HG were selected as the study group and divided into early pregnancy (EP), mid-pregnancy (MP), and late pregnancy (LP) groups according to their gestational weeks, while 84 normal pregnant women were selected as the control group. Venous blood was collected from pregnant women in both groups and serum β-hCG levels were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. The levels of free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb), and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) were tested by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were utilized to assess the degree of HG. Pearson analysis was implemented to measure the correlations between serum β-hCG levels and serum FT3, FT4, TSH, TPOAb, TRAb, TgAb, as well as VAS scores and the correlations between β-hCG, FT3, FT4, TSH, TPOAb, TRAb, TgAb, as well as VAS scores and gestation period. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the diagnostic values of thyroid hormones, thyroid-related antibodies, and β-hCG levels for HG. Versus those in the control group, β-hCG, FT3, FT4, TPOAb, TRAb, TgAb levels, and VAS scores were higher and TSH levels were lower in the study group. Versus those in the EP group, β-hCG, FT3, FT4, TPOAb, TRAb, TgAb levels, and VAS scores of pregnant women in the MP and LP groups were decreased, and TSH levels were increased. Serum β-hCG levels of pregnant women with HG were positively correlated with FT3, FT4, TPOAb, TRAb, TgAb, and VAS scores and negatively correlated with TSH levels. Serum β-hCG, FT3, FT4, TPOAb, TRAb, TgAb levels, and VAS scores of pregnant women with HG had a negative correlation with the gestation period, while TSH levels had a positive correlation with the gestation period. The ROC curve analysis showed that β-hCG and thyroid function-related indicators were of high clinical values in the diagnosis of HG. Collectively, our article suggests that serum β-hCG expression of pregnant women with HG is abnormally elevated and closely related to the degree of HG and hyperthyroidism. In addition, β-hCG and thyroid function-related indicators have certain diagnostic efficacy for HG.

Gestational Transient Thyrotoxicosis Complicated by Thyroid Storm in a Patient With Hyperemesis Gravidarum

We describe a patient with gestational transient thyrotoxicosis (GTT) associated with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) in a twin gestation complicated by thyroid storm resulting in intrauterine fetal demise. GTT is a well-documented complication of the first trimester of pregnancy that may affect up to 60% of pregnancies with HG. Typically, GTT is not associated with unfavorable maternal or fetal outcomes and has a spontaneous resolution. Aside from supportive care, the use of antithyroid drugs (ATD) in GTT is not regularly recommended. Although to our knowledge one similar case has been reported in the literature, the incidence of thyroid storm in GTT has not yet been established. Our case highlights that, although rare, GTT may be complicated by thyroid storm resulting in adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Our case further suggests that consideration of ATD use in GTT should be given in pregnancies with higher serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentration as occurs in HG and multiple pregnancies.