Q: Which doctor treats a thyroid storm?
A: A thyroid storm is treated by an endocrinologist.
Q: What is the outcome of thyroid storm?
A: If a thyroid storm is untreated, the patient can succumb to the condition. Early treatment on the other hand can result in complete recovery.
Q: What is free T3 and free T4?
A: Free T3 and free T4 are the forms of thyroid hormone that are not bound to a protein called thyroglobulin. Therefore, they are available to act on various tissues and organs. T3 is the more active form of the thyroid hormone
Q: What is thyroid stimulating hormone?
A: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone secreted by a gland called the pituitary. It stimulates the thyroid to release thyroid hormone. Low thyroid hormone levels are associated with high TSH levels, and vise-versa.
Q: Can low thyroid hormone levels cause an emergency?
A: Extremely low thyroid hormone levels can result in coma referred to as myxedema coma. The two extreme conditions due to thyroid disease, thyroid storm and myxedema coma though rare, highlight the importance of maintaining the thyroid hormone levels within the normal range.
