In Graves' disease, thyrotoxic crisis can be suggested by which symptom?

• A. Pallor
• B. Fever
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Weight gain

Answer: (B)

A thyrotoxic crisis (thyroid storm) is an extreme, life-threatening escalation of thyrotoxicosis where the body's metabolism and sympathetic drive are dramatically heightened. Fever is a prominent clue because the massive increase in metabolic heat production during this hyperthyroid surge often leads to a high fever. This fever typically accompanies other signs of a hyperadrenergic state such as rapid heart rate and sweating, and it helps distinguish a thyroid storm from more typical, milder hyperthyroid states.

Pallor, bradycardia, and weight gain don’t fit this picture. Hyperthyroidism usually causes weight loss due to increased metabolism, and bradycardia would oppose the expected tachycardia of a thyroid storm. Pallor isn’t a hallmark feature of thyrotoxicosis.