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Title: | Prolonged coma resulting from massive levothyroxine overdose and the utility of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). | Austin Authors: | Wong, Ophelia;Wong, Anselm ;Greene, Shaun L ;Graudins, Andis | Affiliation: | Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia Victorian Poisons Information Centre, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia Austin Toxicology Service, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia Monash Clinical Toxicology Unit, Emergency Medicine Service, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash Emergency Research Collaborative, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia |
Issue Date: | 2019 | Date: | 2018-11-28 | Publication information: | Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) 2019; 57(6): 415-417 | Abstract: | Levothyroxine overdose rarely results in systemic toxicity. We report a case of intentional levothyroxine overdose with a delayed onset coma and delirium lasting two weeks. A 72-year-old female ingested 12 mg levothyroxine. Initially, she was drowsy but quickly recovered and was well for the following two days. On day-3 post-overdose her mental state gradually deteriorated. She presented to the hospital with agitation, confusion and dyspnoea. Initial vital signs: P128 bpm, BP132/67 mmHg, temperature 38 °C and SpO2 97%RA. Features suggesting thyroid storm were present: fever >38 °C, tachycardia and persistent coma. Serum T4 and T3 were >150 pmol/L (normal: 8-16) and >30.8 pmol/L (normal: 3.2-6.1), respectively. These remained elevated for 11 days. She was treated with propranolol, propylthiouracil and cholestyramine. She remained intubated for two weeks without sedation. Her conscious state improved on day-13, coinciding with normalisation of serum T4. Normal cognition was regained four days later. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT ProBNP) concentration was increased during coma and peaked 2 days prior to Glasgow Coma Score improving. Our case demonstrates features of thyrotoxicosis and thyroid storm with coma after massive levothyroxine overdose. Coma was associated with an increase in NT-proBNP concentration. This may be a potential marker for brain injury and recovery. | URI: | https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/19915 | DOI: | 10.1080/15563650.2018.1533639 | ORCID: | 0000-0002-5674-9331 0000-0002-6817-7289 0000-0002-7423-2467 |
Journal: | Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) | PubMed URL: | 30484711 | Type: | Journal Article | Subjects: | Thyroxine coma encephalopathy overdose thyroid storm |
Appears in Collections: | Journal articles |
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