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Thyroid gland
Thyroid gland
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Factitious hyperthyroidism

Definition:
Factitious hyperthyroidism involves high levels of thyroid activity caused by ingestion of excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.

Alternative Names:
Factitious thyrotoxicosis; Thyrotoxicosis factititia; Thyrotoxicosis medicomentosa

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The thyroid gland produces the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Hyperthyroidism is the clinical condition which results from excessive levels of these hormones, which can be caused in a number of ways.

In the vast majority of cases, hyperthyroidism is caused by overproduction of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland itself. In some other cases, the pituitary gland produces too much thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Thyroid hormone preparations have been available as medications since 1891 and are used to treat hypothyroidism. Ingesting too much thyroid hormone medication can also cause hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism caused by taking too much of this hormone is called factitious hyperthyroidism.

Factitious hyperthyroidism may occur when thyroid hormone is prescribed to treat hypothyroidism and the prescribed dose is too high.

It can also occur when a person intentionally takes an excessive amount of thyroid hormone; people with psychiatric disorders such as Munchausen syndrome deliberately (and usually secretively) take these hormones.

Patients attempting to lose weight and individuals fraudulently seeking to receive insurance compensation also sometimes misuse thyroid hormone and induce this condition. Children may occasionally require treatment for accidental ingestion of thyroid hormone pills.

In rare cases, factitious hyperthyroidism has been found to be caused by ingestion of meat contaminated with thyroid gland tissue.



Review Date: 1/6/2003
Reviewed By: Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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