Which combination of findings is most reminiscent of a thyroid storm?

• A. Hypothermia, bradycardia, hypotension
• B. Weight gain and fatigue
• C. Severe tachycardia, hyperthermia, hypertension, and altered mental status
• D. Hypotension and hypothermia

Answer: (C)

Thyroid storm is a life-threatening thyrotoxic crisis marked by extreme sympathetic activation and hypermetabolism. The hallmark signs reflect this surge: severe elevated body temperature, very fast heart rate, high blood pressure, and altered mental status such as agitation or confusion. This combination appears because excess thyroid hormone dramatically increases metabolic rate and amplifies beta-adrenergic effects, leading to heat production, tachycardia, hypertension, and CNS changes. In contrast, choices showing low temperature with slow heart rate and low blood pressure point toward hypothyroid states or shock, and weight gain with fatigue aligns with hypothyroidism rather than a thyrotoxic crisis.