Nausea and Vomiting as Major Presenting Symptoms of Thyrotoxicosis

Abstract

Thyrotoxicosis has a variety of presentations which depend on its severity and duration, as well as the age of the patient. Nausea and vomiting as major presenting symptoms of thyrotoxicosis are rarely reported. We report three patients with nausea and vomiting as major presenting symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, where two of the patients were extensively investigated, and thyrotoxicosis was not suspected until late in the disease. In reporting these patients we aim at drawing attention to these forgotten symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, and particularly to emphasize that, at times nausea and vomiting may be the only presenting features of thyrotoxicosis, leading to considerable difficulty in diagnosis. Moreover, these case reports give further support to the contention that thyroid studies should be carried out in border indications than conventionally accepted.

An Uncommon Presentation of Hyperthyroidism Can Culminate in Devastating Neurological Consequences: A Case Report

“…Possible mechanisms include gastrointestinal hypermotility, increased beta-adrenergic activity, and impaired neurohormonal regulation [ 6 ]. These symptoms are not limited to thyrotoxic storms and can be severe enough to prompt exploratory laparoscopy [ 7 ]. These symptoms usually fail to respond to antiemetics but do respond to anti-thyroid medications and steroids.…”