Short review: novel concepts in the approach to patients with amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis

Abstract

Introduction Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The approach to this condition is widely variable across different medical specialists and even among expert endocrinologists. As a matter of fact, the approach to amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis has always been considered difficult, due to diagnostic uncertainties easily resulting in missteps, and therapeutic challenges easily resulting in unresponsiveness or slow-responsiveness to the administered drugs. Purpose Our purpose is to review novelties emerged during the last years about this condition, with the aim to provide novel insights on the diagnostic and therapeutic management of this challenging condition.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis during Thyrotoxicosis: Case Report and Literature Update

“…Given the link between the two conditions (i.e., altered thyroid function and CVT), the exclusion of thyrotoxicosis should be considered in all patients with suspected CVT, particularly if there is a history of hyperthyroidism, especially if poorly controlled or untreated; in the case of young women who are at greater risk of developing autoimmune thyroiditis; in patients with history of other concomitant autoimmune disorders; and in the case of conditions that may favor altered thyroid function (e.g., pregnancy). A thyroid function screening should also be performed in all CVT patients with a family history of thyroid disease, a high dietary iodine intake, an intake of thyrotoxic drugs (e.g., lithium, interferon α, or amiodarone) [75,76], who are smokers, have experienced recent psychological stress, or have neoplasms (i.e., ectopic thyroid hormone production) [77].…”