Hyperthyroidism as a Cause of Autonomic Dysreflexia

Chang JH, Han JE, Sohn HJ, Shin YB, Ko H-Y: Hyperthyroidism as a cause of autonomic dysreflexia. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2008;87:768–772. A 25-yr-old female tetraplegic patient experienced autonomic dysreflexia episodes involving hypertension, headache, facial flushing, and tachycardia. The symptoms were not related to the bladder or bowel. The episodes did not seem to be linked to any mechanical cause. The patient was incidentally diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Treatment with antithyroid medication resulted in resolution of the autonomic dysreflexia. This case suggests that hyperthyroidism may trigger autonomic dysreflexia in tetraplegic patients.