thyroid crisis [Gk, thyreos, shield, eidos, form, krisis, turning point] , a sudden exacerbation of symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, characterized by fever, sweating, tachycardia, extreme nervous excitability, and pulmonary edema. It usually occurs in a patient whose thyrotoxicosis treatment is inadequate, and the paroxysm is triggered by a stressful infection or injury. If untreated, the crisis is often fatal. Also called thyroid storm, thyrotoxic crisis. See also Graves’ disease.
