Difficult diagnosis: A case report of thyroid storm obscured by acute asthma exacerbation and concurrent H1N1 influenza

We present an uncommon case of H1N1 triggered thyroid storm in a patient with previously undiagnosed Grave's Disease. This case illustrates the challenges of diagnosing thyroid storm in the emergency department and the importance of including it in the differential when treating more common diagnoses that fail to respond to usual therapies. Thyroid storm is an endocrinologic emergency and requires prompt recognition and treatment. However, it remains a diagnostic challenge as there is no laboratory test specific to thyroid storm. Diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion in corroboration with patient presentation, laboratory findings and response to therapy.