differential diagnosis

Last edited 04/2018 and last reviewed 08/2021

The differential diagnosis of hyperthyroidism includes:

  • weight loss despite eating - diabetes, malabsorption
  • anxiety states:
    • differentiation may be difficult clinically
    • positive findings for thyrotoxicosis are eye signs, proximal myopathy, wasting, hyperdynamic circulation with warm peripheries
    • anxiety tends to cause clammy hands
  • phaeochromocytoma:
    • especially if the patient is hypertensive (1)

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