6423 The Storm in a Healthy 26-year-old Hispanic Female

Abstract Disclosure: P.M. Reyes-Torres: None. M. Hernandez-Hernandez: None. Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism can cause thyrotoxicosis and lead to end-organ dysfunction known as thyroid storm. The incidence is .20 and .76 per 100,000 persons per year, with an incidence of 4.8–5.6 per 100,000 hospitalized patients. Of those hospitalized with thyrotoxicosis in the U.S., thyroid storm is diagnosed in 16%. Most commonly affects females, middle-aged patients, and Caucasians. Can be precipitated by acute illnesses, surgery, or non-compliance with medications. Symptoms are characterized by fever, cardiac and gastrointestinal dysfunction, and altered mentation along with impaired thyroid function tests.A 26-year-old Hispanic female presented to our ER complaining of palpitations, general malaise, dysphagia, and fevers after attending a social event 3 days before. Physical examination revealed a fever of 101F, restless patient with pressured speech, and diffusely enlarged non-tender thyroid without discrete nodules. Labs were remarkable for WBC: 12 000, urinalysis, b-HCG, and CXR were all negative. Burch-Wartofsky Point Scale: 55 and biochemical tests (TSH: 0.005 ml/UL, free T4 5 ng/dL, Total T3: 8.5 ng/mL, Total T4: 28.87 uG/DL, Thyroglobulin 34.81 ng/mL) for which diagnosis of thyroid storm was made. She was transferred to the ICU and treatment was initiated with fluids, Propranolol 60 mg PO q4hrs, PTU 250 mg PO q4hrs, and Hydrocortisone 300 mg IV as loading dose then 100mg IV q8hrs. TSI and TRAb were ordered. Thyroid US remarkable for bulky thyroid gland with heterogeneous, increased vascularity, no obvious cystic/solid lesions seen. Repeated tests showed a decreasing trend of free T4: 4.71 ng/dL and Total T3: 2.42ng/dL for which PTU was discontinued and Methimazole 15 mg PO BID was started. Five days after treatment started, the patient continued symptom-free and was discharged with Propranolol 60 mg PO q6hrs and Methimazole 15 mg PO BID. TSI and TRAb samples were obtained but results were pending before discharge. Follow-up was scheduled in 2 weeks with routine labs but the patient was lost to follow-up.This case highlights the importance of early recognition and treatment of thyroid storm in Hispanics, undiagnosed patients given the presenting nonspecific, life-threatening symptoms. We conclude that our patient's cause of thyrotoxicosis was an undiagnosed case of Graves Disease and the storm was most likely triggered by an upper viral respiratory tract infection. This case could potentially help physicians identify hyperthyroidism in an earlier phase, reducing incidence, mortality, and hospitalizations of thyroid storm since a variety of mimics make the diagnosis challenging. Furthermore, we could contribute to updated statistical knowledge regarding the risk of patients with thyrotoxicosis developing thyroid storm which despite advancements in technology, are currently lacking. Presentation: 6/1/2024