Which of the following is a sign of thyrotoxic crisis in Graves' disease?

Which of the following is a sign of thyrotoxic crisis in Graves' disease?

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

Answer: (C)

A thyrotoxic crisis (thyroid storm) drives an extreme rise in metabolism and a heightened sympathetic state. This causes rapid heat production and impaired heat dissipation, so body temperature climbs to feverish levels. Fever is a hallmark of the crisis because the body is in a hypermetabolic, hyperadrenergic condition with systemic stress responses. Pallor isn’t typical because the skin in a thyroid storm is usually warm and sweating, reflecting vasodilation and high metabolic activity. Bradycardia would be unexpected since tachycardia is common in thyroid storms due to increased sympathetic tone. Weight gain doesn’t fit either; the crisis usually leads to weight loss from accelerated metabolism and catabolism.

A thyrotoxic crisis (thyroid storm) drives an extreme rise in metabolism and a heightened sympathetic state. This causes rapid heat production and impaired heat dissipation, so body temperature climbs to feverish levels. Fever is a hallmark of the crisis because the body is in a hypermetabolic, hyperadrenergic condition with systemic stress responses.

Pallor isn’t typical because the skin in a thyroid storm is usually warm and sweating, reflecting vasodilation and high metabolic activity. Bradycardia would be unexpected since tachycardia is common in thyroid storms due to increased sympathetic tone. Weight gain doesn’t fit either; the crisis usually leads to weight loss from accelerated metabolism and catabolism.