“Thyrotricksicosis” The confounders of GI symptomatology and laboratory error – A case report

Abstract

A 28 year old male presented to the emergency unit with a month history of periumbilical abdominal pain. It was gripping did not radiate, had no relieving nor aggravating factors and was associated with a weight loss of approximately 6kg. He had drenching night sweats, nausea and vomiting for two weeks. There was no significant past medical or family history. He denied the use of illicit drugs, alcohol and other medications. He weighed 55kg, was afebrile and his eyes appeared normal with no evidence of exophthalmos, lid
retraction or lid lag. The following (FBC, serum amylase and lipase, TSH, Ca,PTH, D dimer and CRP) initial blood tests performed were normal. His blood, stool and sputum investigations were normal. His electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a sinus tachycardia. Gastroscopy showed fundal gastritis. Chest and abdominal radiographs were normal as was a trans-abdominal ultrasound.