KEY POINTS

Diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome, hypoglycemia, insulinoma, hypoadrenocorticism, pheochromocytoma, thyrotoxicosis, and myxedema coma are all examples of life-threatening complications of endocrine disease.

Success in treatment of endocrine emergencies is contingent on early recognition and treatment.

Many endocrine diseases presenting emergently have nonspecific signs and symptoms.  Endocrine crises are often precipitated by concurrent disease, further making early identification difficult.