Transcript Non – Diabetic Endocrine Emergencies

Non – Diabetic
Endocrine
Emergencies
“What an emerg doc needs to know”
Rob Hall PGY3
December 5th, 2002
Non – Diabetic Endocrine
Emergencies
WHY?

Uncommon
 Potentially lethal
 Diagnostic dilemmas
 ED treatment may be
life-saving
Outline
Non - diabetic
Endocrine Emergencies
THYROID
Thyroid Storm
Myxedemic Coma
ADRENALS
Acute Adrenal
insuficciency
Steroid Stress
dosing
Objectives







How uncommon?
What defines thyroid storm, myxedemic coma,
adrenal crisis?
What are the main clinical features?
When should these dx be considered?
What investigations are pertinent?
What is the emergency management?
When and how do you give stress dosing for
chronic adrenal insufficiency?
Case

37 yo female
 Chest Pain and SOB
 Denies any PMHx
 Recent weight loss

Sinus tach 130
 Temp 40
 Agitated
 Tremulous
CASE
CASE
NOT
GOOD!
Thyroid Storm
What is Thyroid Storm?
What is Thyroid Storm?
Burch 1993
Etiology of Thyroid Storm
Undiagnosed
Undertreated
(Grave’s disease
or Mulitnodular
toxic goiter)
Acute
Precipitant
Thyroid
Storm
Thyroid Storm

1% of all
hyperthyroids
 Mortality 30%

Precipitants
– Vascular
– Infectious
– Trauma
– Surgery
– Drugs
– Obstetrics
– Any acute medical
illness
KEY FEATURES of Thyroid Storm

FEVER
 TACHYCARDIA
 ALTERED LOC
 Features of underlying Hyperthyroidism
– Weight loss, heat intolerance, tremors, anxiety,
diarrhea, palpitations, sweating, CP, SOB
– Goiter, eye findings, pretibial myxedema
When should you consider Thyroid
Storm and what is the ddx?

Infectious: sepsis, meningitis, encephalitis
 Vascular: ICH, SAH
 Heat stroke
 Toxicologic
– Sympathomimetics, seritonin syndrome,
neuroleptic malignant syndrome, Delirium
Tremens, anticholinergic syndrome
INVESTIGATIONS

Thyroid Testing

Look for precipitant
– TSH
– ECG
– Free T4
– CXR
– Don’t need to order
– Urine
total T3/4, TBG,
T3RU, FT3
– Labs
– Blood cultures
– Tox screen
– ? CT head
– ? CSF
Thyroid Storm:
Goals of Management

1 - Decrease Hormone Synthesis
 2 - Decrease Hormone Release
 3 - Decrease Adrenergic Symptoms
 4 - Decrease Peripheral T4 -> T3
 5 - Supportive Care
Decrease Hormonal Synthesis

Inhibition of thyroid peroxidase
 Propylthiouracil (PTU) or Methimazole
(Tapazole)
 PTU is the drug of choice
–
–
–
–
–
PTU 1000 mg po/ng/pr then 250 q4hr
No iv form
Safe in pregnancy
S/E: rash, SJS, BM suppression, hepatotoxic
Contraindications: previous hepatic failure or
agranulocytosis from PTU
Decrease Hormone Release

Iodine or lithium decreases release from
hormone stored in colloid cells
 MUST not be given until 1hr after PTU
 Potassium Iodide (SSKI) 5 drops po/ng q6hr
 Lugol’s solution 8 drops q6hr
Decrease Adrenergic Effects





Most important maneuver to decrease
morbidity/mortality
Decreases HR, arrythmias, temp, etc
Propranolol 1 – 2 mg iv q 10 min prn
Propranolol preferred over metoprolol
Contraindications to beta-blockers
– Reserpine 2.5 – 5.0 mg im q4hr
– Guanethidine 20 mg po q6hr
– Diltiazem
Decrease T4 -> T3

Corticosteriods
 PTU and propranolol also have some effect
 Dexamethasone 2 – 4 mg iv
 Relative or absolute adrenal insufficiency
also common
Supportive Care

Fluid rehydration
 Correct electrolyte abnormalities
 Control temperature aggressively
– Ice, cooling blanket, tylenol, fans

Search for precipitant
– Think vascular, infectious, trauma, drugs, etc
Summary of Management





PTU
PROPRANOLOL
POTASSIUM
IODIDE
STERIODS
SUPPORTIVE CARE
P3S2
Apathetic Hyperthyroidism

Elderly (can be any age)
 Altered LOC, Afib, CHF
 Minimal fever, tachycardia
 No preceeding hx of hyperthyroidism
except weight loss
 More COMMON than thyroid storm
 Check TSH in any elderly patient with
altered LOC, psych presentation, Afib, CHF
Outline
Non - diabetic
Endocrine Emergencies
THYROID
Thyroid Storm
Myxedemic Coma
ADRENALS
Acute Adrenal
insuficciency
Steroid Stress
dosing
What is Myxedemic Coma?

Myxedema = swelling of hands, face, feet,
periorbital tissues
 Myxedemic coma = decreased LOC
associated with severe hypothyroidism
 Myxedemic coma/Myxedema generally
used to mean severe hypothyroidism
Myxedemic Coma

Hypothyroidism

Myxedemic Coma
Etiology of Myxedemic Coma
Undiagnosed
Undertreated
(Hashimoto’s thyroiditis,
post surgery/ablation
most common)
Acute
Precipitant
Myxedemic
Coma
Myxedemic Coma

Precipitants of Myxedemic Coma
– Infection
– Trauma
– Vascular: CVA, MI, PE
– Noncompliance with Rx
– Any acute medical illness
– Cold
KEY FEATURES of
Myxedema
Underlying/preceeding features
of Hypothyroidism
ALTERED LOC
HYPOVENTILATION/
RESP FAILURE
HYPOTHERMIA
When should Myxedema be
considered and what is the ddx?

Altered LOC
– Structural vs metabolic causes of decreased LOC

Hypoventilatory Resp Failure
– Narcotics, Benzodiazepines, EtOH intoxication, OSA,
obesity hypoventilation, brain stem CVA,
neuromuscular disorders (MG, GBS)

Hypothermia
– Environmental
– Medical: pituitary or hypothalamic lesion, sepsis
Myxedemic Coma

Investigations
– TSH and Free T4
– Look for ppt
 ECG
 Labs
 Septic work up (CXR/BC/urine/ +/- LP)
 Random cortisol
 CT head
Management of Myxedemic
Coma

Levothyroxine is the cornerstone of Mx
– Levothyroxine 500 ug po/iv (preferred over T3)
– Ischemia and arrythmias possible: monitor
– When in doubt, treat en spec

Other
– Intubate/ventilate prn
– Fluids/pressors/thyroxine for hypotension
– Thyroxine for hypothermia
– Stress Steroids: hydrocortisone 100 mg iv
Outline
Non - diabetic
Endocrine Emergencies
THYROID
Thyroid Storm
Myxedemic Coma
ADRENALS
Acute Adrenal
insuficciency
Steroid Stress
dosing
Adrenal Insufficiency

Primary = Adrenal disease = Addison’s
– Idiopathic, autoimmune, infectious, infiltrative,
infarction, hemorrhage, cancer, CAH, postop

Secondary = Pituitary
 Tertiary = Hypothalamus
 Functional = Exogenous steroids
Etiology of Adrenal Crisis
Underlying
Adrenal
Insufficiency
(Addision’s and
Chronic Steriods)
Acute
Precipitant
Adrenal
Crisis
Acute adrenal crisis?

Underlying Adrenal
insufficiency
– Addison’s disease
– Chronic steroids

No underlying Adrenal
insufficiency
– Adrenal infarct or
hemorrhage
– Pituitary infarct or
hemorrhage

Precipitants of Adrenal
crisis
– Surgery
– Anesthesia
– Procedures
– Infection
– MI/CVA/PE
– Alcohol/drugs
– Hypothermia
Adrenal Hemorrhage

Overwhelming sepsis (WaterhouseFriderichsen syndrome)
 Trauma or surgery
 Coagulopathy
 Adrenal tumors or infiltrative disorders
 Spontaneous
– Eclampsia, post-parturm, antiphospholipid Ab
syndromes
Key Features of Adrenal Crisis

Nonspecific
– Nausea, vomiting,
abdominal pain

Shock
– Distributive shock not
responsive to fluids or
pressors

Laboratory (variable)
– Hyponatremia,
hyperkalemia, metabolic
acidosis

Known Adrenal
insufficiency
 Features of
undiagnosed adrenal
insufficiency
– Weakness, fatigue,
weight loss, anorexia,
N/V, abdo pain, salt
craving,
hyperpigmentation
Features of Adrenal
Insufficiency
PRIMARY
ADRENAL INSUFF
SECONDARY /
TERTIARY ADRENAL
INSUFFICIENCY
Hyperpigmentation
Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia
Metabolic Acidosis
NO Hyperpigmentation
Mild hyponatremia
NO hyperkalemia
NO met acidosis
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation
Adrenal Crisis
Consider
on the
differential diagnosis of
SHOCK NYD
Investigations

Adrenal Function

Look for Precipitant
– Electrolytes
– ECG
– Random cortisol
– CXR
– ACTH
– Labs
– EtOH
– Urine
Management of Adrenal Crisis

Corticosteroid replacement
– Dexamethasone 4mg iv q6hr is the drug of
choice (doesn’t affect ACTH stim test)
– Hydrocortisone 100 mg iv is an option
– Mineralocorticoid not required in acute phase

Other
– Correct lytes, fluid resuscitation (2-3L)
– Glucose for hypoglycemia
Outline
Non - diabetic
Endocrine Emergencies
THYROID
Thyroid Storm
Myxedemic Coma
ADRENALS
Acute Adrenal
insuficciency
Steroid Stress
dosing
Corticosteriod Stress Dosing:
Who? When? How much?

Who needs stress steroids?
– ?Addison’s
– ?Chronic prednisone
– ?Chronic Inhaled Steroids

When?
–
–
–
–

? Laceration suturing
? Colle’s fracture reduction
? Cardioversion for Afib
? Trauma or septic shock
How Much?
Effects of Exogenous
Corticosteroids

Hypothalamic – Pituitary – Adrenal axis
suppression
– Has occurred with ANY route of administration
(including oral, dermal, inhaled, intranasal)
– Adrenal suppresion may last for up to a year
after a course of steroids
– HPA axis recovers quickly after prednisone 50
po od X 5/7
Streck 1979: Pituitary – Adrenal Recovery
Following a Five Day Prednisone
Treatment
12
10
8
6
Cortisol
4
2
0
Day
-1
Day
1
Day
3
Day
5
Day
7
Day
9
Day
11
Who needs Corticosteroid
Stress Dosing?

Coursin JAMA 2002: Corticosteroid
Supplementation for Adrenal Insufficiency
– All patients with known adrenal insufficiency
– All patients on chronic steroids equivalent to or
greater than PREDNISONE 5 mg/day
Corticosteroid Stress Dosing:
La Rochelle Am J Med 1993

ACTH stimulation test to patients on
chronic prednisone
 Prednisone < 5 mg/day
– No patient had suppressed HPA axis
– Three had intermediate responses

Prednisone > or = 5 mg/day
– 50% had suppressed HPA axis, 25% were
intermediate, 25% had normal response
Corticosteroid Stress Dosing

What duration of prednisone is important?
 What about intermittent steroids?
 What about inhaled steroids?
Corticosteroid Stress Dosing:
Summary of literature review

Short courses of steroids are safe
– Many studies in literature documenting safety of
prednisone X 5 – 10 days

Wilmsmeyer 1990
– Documented safety of 14 day course of prednisone

Sorkess 1999
– Documented HPA axis suppression in majority of
patients receiving prednisone 10 mg/day X 4 weeks

Many studies documenting HPA axis suppression
with steroid use for > one month
Corticosteroid Stress Dosing

Inhaled Corticosteroids: Allen 2002. Safety
of Inhaled Corticosteroids.
– Adrenal suppression has occurred in moderate
doses of ICS (Flovent 200 – 800 ug/day)
– Adrenal suppression is more common and
should be considered with chronic high doses
of ICS (Flovent > 800 ug/day)
Corticosteroid Stress Dosing
“There is NO consistent evidence to reliably
predict what dose and duration of
corticosteroid treatment will lead to H-P-A
axis suppression”
 Why?

Corticosteroid Stress Dosing:
The bottom line

Consider potential for adrenal suppression:
– Chronic Prednisone 5 mg/day or equivalent
– Prednisone 20 mg/day for one month within the
last year
– > 3 courses of Prednisone 50 mg/day for 5 days
within the last year
– Chronic high dose inhaled corticosteroids
When are stress steroids
required?

When is stress dosing required? (Cousin
JAMA 2002)
– Any local procedure with duration < 1hr that
doesn’t involve general anesthesia or sedatives
does NOT require stress dosing
– All illnesses and more significant procedures
require stress dosing
Corticosteroid Stress Dosing
Corticosteroid
Stress Dosing
MINOR
Stress
MODERATE
Stress
MAJOR
Stress
Viral infection, URTI,
UTI, fracture, etc,
which do not require
hospital admission
Medical or
traumatic conditons
that require hospital
admission
Critical condition
requiring ICU/CCU
Emergent Surgery
Corticosteroid Stress Dosing

MINOR
– Double chronic steroid dose for duration of
illness (only needs iv if can’t tolerate po)

MODERATE
– Hydrocortisone 50 mg po/iv q8hr

MAJOR
– Hydrocortisone 100 mg iv q8hr
Corticosteroid Stress Dosing

What about procedural sedation?
– ? Stress dose just before sedation/procedure
– Recommended by Coursin JAMA 2002 but NO
supporting literature specific to procedural
sedation in emerg
– Should be done --------> Hydrocortisone 50 mg
iv just before procedure and then continue with
normal steroid dose
Outline
Non - diabetic
Endocrine Emergencies
THYROID
Thyroid Storm
Myxedemic Coma
ADRENALS
Acute Adrenal
insuficciency
Steroid Stress
dosing
Non –diabetic Hypoglycemia

Fasting
–
–
–
–
–

Insulinoma
Insulin
Sulfonylureas
Liver dz
H-P-A axis
Fed
– Alimentary
hyperinsulinism
– Congenital deficiency

What labs to order
BEFORE glucose
administration????
– Serum glucose
– C-peptide level
– Insulin level
– Cortisol
– Sulfonylurea level
Non-diabetic Endocrine
Emergencies

Recognize key features
 Pattern of underlying dz + precipitant
 Emergent management
– P3S2, levothyroxine, dex
– Supportive care and look for precipitant

Consider corticosteroid stress dosing
The End…