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Ency. home > Disease > F > Factitious hyperthyroidism

Factitious hyperthyroidism   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Factitious thyrotoxicosis; Thyrotoxicosis factititia; Thyrotoxicosis medicomentosa

Treatment

Exogenous thyroid hormone is stopped. Patients need to be reevaluated in 2 to 4 weeks to make sure that signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism have resolved (this also helps to confirm the diagnosis).

Prognosis

Hyperthyroidism will resolve when exogenous thyroid hormone is stopped or, in the case of prescribed thyroid hormone, the dose is lowered. Patients taking thyroid hormone for secondary gain may be difficult to treat.

Complications

If factitious hyperthyroidism is long-standing, patients are at risk for the complications of untreated hyperthyroidism caused by the thyroid gland. See the article on hyperthyroidism for a complete review. Some complications include:

  • Irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation)
  • Chest pain (angina)
  • Heart attack
  • Loss of bone mass (if severe, osteoporosis)
  • Weight loss

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Contact your health care provider if symptoms of hyperthyroidism occur.

Ency. home > Disease > F > Factitious hyperthyroidism

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