Pituitary, Thyroid, and Parathyroid Disorders

Critically ill patients may have preexisting endocrine disorders that need to be recognized and addressed. Disruption of normal endocrine gland function leads to inappropriate hormone secretion, resulting in hormone excess or deficiency. Both extremes may have detrimental systemic consequences and may pose significant challenges to the intensivist. Proper recognition of endocrine emergencies such as severe hyponatremia secondary to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, thyroid storm, and myxedema coma is vital, as delay in treatment may result in significant morbidity or death. This review provides an overview of common pituitary, thyroid, and parathyroid disorders and emergencies, including definitions, manifestations, diagnosis, and management. This review contains 2 figures, 7 tables, and 30 references. Key Words: acromegaly, diabetes insipidus, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, myxedema coma, nonthyroidal illness syndrome, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, thyrotoxicosis, thyroid storm