In Graves' disease, thyrotoxic crisis can be indicated by which symptom?

In Graves' disease, thyrotoxic crisis can be indicated by which symptom?

• A. Pallor
• B. Fever
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Weight gain

Answer: (B)

Thyrotoxic crisis marks an extreme hypermetabolic state caused by excess thyroid hormone. The most telling sign is a high fever, arising from the body’s accelerated heat production and heightened sympathetic activity. In this crisis you typically also see rapid heart rate, sweating, tremor, and possible agitation or confusion, but fever stands out as the key indicator that the situation has escalated beyond ordinary thyrotoxicosis. Pallor, a slow heart rate, or weight gain don’t fit the pattern—bradycardia is the opposite of what’s expected, and weight gain is not characteristic of thyrotoxicosis, which more often causes weight loss due to increased metabolism.

Thyrotoxic crisis marks an extreme hypermetabolic state caused by excess thyroid hormone. The most telling sign is a high fever, arising from the body’s accelerated heat production and heightened sympathetic activity. In this crisis you typically also see rapid heart rate, sweating, tremor, and possible agitation or confusion, but fever stands out as the key indicator that the situation has escalated beyond ordinary thyrotoxicosis. Pallor, a slow heart rate, or weight gain don’t fit the pattern—bradycardia is the opposite of what’s expected, and weight gain is not characteristic of thyrotoxicosis, which more often causes weight loss due to increased metabolism.