Thyrotoxic storm during sepsis: study of a rare complication, clinical and biological observations

We describe an uncommon severe clinical complication of sepsis – thyrotoxic storm (TS). Common biologic, pathogenic, clinical conditions that can determine sepsis can cause a TS. High circulating values of vascular cellular adhesive molecules-1 and various pro-inflammatory citochines are related with thyroid damage. During sepsis, moderate dysfunctions are not expression of actual disease, but severe damage in pituitary-thyroid hormonal axis. Thyroid stimulated hormon release, and consequent overproduction of thyroid hormones can cause TS. In critical patients, presence of hormonal dysfunctions determines more elevated clinical score of sepsis severity and higher risk of death than control groups (without thyroid disease) or survived patients.