What is another term for thyroid storm?

Thyroid storm is a life-threatening condition that arises from untreated or poorly managed hyperthyroidism, often triggered by stressors such as infection, surgery, or trauma. The term “thyrotoxicosis” refers specifically to the clinical state caused by excessive thyroid hormone in the body, which encompasses the severe manifestations seen in thyroid storm.

In this context, thyrotoxicosis accurately describes the state of having an excess of thyroid hormones leading to symptoms such as fever, tachycardia, and altered mental status, which are characteristic of a thyroid storm. This terminology is widely recognized in medical literature and practice, making it the term that best describes the condition.

The other options do not effectively capture the accepted medical terminology used to describe thyroid storm. While hyperthyroidism crisis and thyroid toxicity might convey similar urgent clinical scenarios, they are not as precise or commonly used in the medical community as thyrotoxicosis. The term thyroid breakdown is misleading, as it suggests a failure or deterioration of thyroid function rather than an excess of its hormones.