Abstract
Normal individuals have a low amplitude and high-frequency physiologic postural tremor of the hands that is usually not visible under ordinary circumstances. There are numerous factors which may increase the amplitude of physiologic tremor, many of which are related to increased sympathetic activity. Drugs which increase tremor by elevating adrenergic activity include beta-adrenergic agonists such as isoproterenol and epinephrine, terbutaline, amphetamines, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, levodopa, and xanthines such as theophylline and caffeine. Anxiety, fright, excitement, muscle fatigue, hypoglycemia, alcohol and opioid withdrawal, thyrotoxicosis, and pheochromocytoma also enhance adrenergic activity. There are several other drugs and toxins which increase physiologic tremor by uncertain mechanisms such as lithium, corticosteroids, sodium valproate, amiodarone, mercury, lead, and arsenic.
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This chapter contains a video segment which can be found at the URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-426-5_31
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Jankovic J, Fahn S. Physiologic and pathologic tremors. Diagnosis, mechanism, and management. Ann Intern Med. 1980;93:460–5.
Duyff RF, den Bosch Van, Laman DM, et al. Neuromuscular findings in thyroid dysfunction: a prospective clinical and electrodiagnostic study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2000;68:750–5.
Henderson JM, Portmann L, Van Melle G, et al. Propranolol as an adjunct therapy for hyperthyroid tremor. Eur Neurol. 1997;37:182–5.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Electronic Supplementary material
Hyperthyroid tremor.mp4 (MP4 8,689KB)
The patient displays an irregular high-frequency, low-amplitude tremor of the hands involving left more than right side.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bhidayasiri, R., Tarsy, D. (2012). Hyperthyroid Tremor. In: Movement Disorders: A Video Atlas. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-426-5_31
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-426-5_31
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-60327-425-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-60327-426-5
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)