Journal of Korean Thyroid Association  2014;7(2):185-189

doi:10.11106/cet.2014.7.2.185

A Case of Severe Thyrotoxicosis Caused by Graves' Disease Presenting with Myasthenic Crisis.

Sun Hee KIM 1 ; Tae Sun PARK ; Hong Sun BAEK ; Heung Yong JIN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Graves; Myasthenia gravis; Neuropathy

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Thyrotoxicosis due to autoimmune thyroid disease occurs in approximately 5% to 10% of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), whereas the incidence of MG in patients with Graves' disease is much less at approximately 0.2%. Recently, we experienced a 40-year-old male patient diagnosed with thyroid storm with severe respiratory failure and lower extremity weakness. At first, he was diagnosed with Graves' disease and critical illness neuropathy. His thyroid function was improved by anti-thyroid drug, but his neurologic function aggravated at the same time. He accordingly diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. We studied that when we should examine the neurologic function from this case. Our case highlights the importance of investigating muscle weakness or other neurologic problems in the thyrotoxic patient during their management.