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Thyrotoxicosis Associated Wernicke’s Encephalopathy

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Summary

Background

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a rare disorder resulting from nutrition deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1). It is most often associated with chronic alcohol abuse. It can accompany other disorders such as hyperemesis gravidarum and hyperthyroidism.

Case

We present a case of severe Wernicke’s encephalopathy that developed in a male non-alcoholic inpatient that was precipitated by poor nutritional intake and development of thyrotoxicosis. It is likely that the hypermetabolic state from thyrotoxicosis contributed to the development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy, which was extremely debilitating.

Conclusion

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a severe, life-threatening illness that can be a consequence of hyperthyroidism in addition to alcohol abuse and can be easily prevented with appropriate supplementation of thiamine.

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Acknowledgment

No financial support for the authors related to this case.

Conflict of interest

None disclosed.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA

    James Bonucchi DO, Ihab Hassan MD & Peter Kaboli MD, MS

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Bruno Policeni MD

  3. The Center for Research in the Implementation of Innovative Strategies in Practice (CRIISP) at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Peter Kaboli MD, MS

Authors
  1. James Bonucchi DO
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  2. Ihab Hassan MD
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  3. Bruno Policeni MD
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  4. Peter Kaboli MD, MS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James Bonucchi DO.

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Bonucchi, J., Hassan, I., Policeni, B. et al. Thyrotoxicosis Associated Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. J GEN INTERN MED 23, 106–109 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0438-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0438-3

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