01 February 2008
Factitious T3 Thyrotoxicosis
Helen D. White, Katharine Hayden, Ian A. MacFarlaneAm J Case Rep 2008; 9:78-81 :: ID: 749942
Abstract
Background: Factitious T4-thyrotoxicosis accounts for approximately 0.3% of all cases of thyrotoxicosis. Although recognised as a cause of hyperthyroidism, there are no recent peer-reviewed published cases of thyrotoxicosis secondary to chronic ingestion of tri-iodothyronine.
Case Report: A 23-year-old lady presented with hyperthyroidism. She had a history of PCOS and reported diffi culties with weight control. On examination, she had a soft, non-tender thyroid gland just palpable. Blood results were consistent with T3-thyrotoxicosis, but fT4 concentration was suppressed. Four days later, she was hospitalised with worsening symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. Within 24h of admission her symptoms settled and fT3 fell into the reference range. TFTs repeated 1 week post-discharge were again consistent with T3-thyrotoxicosis. It was then discovered that her mother was prescribed tri-iodothyronine for hypothyroidism. When questioned, the patient denied taking her mother’s medication.
Conclusions: Factitious T3-thyrotoxicosis should be considered in patients with intermittent hyperthyroidism where fT4 is suppressed and thyroid examination is normal. Factitious T3-thyrotoxicosis is much less common than factitious T4-thyrotoxicosis, as tri-iodothyronine is generally less available than levo-thyroxine. Increased public internet availability is likely to be associated with future increased incidence of factitious T3-thyrotoxicosis and therefore it is important to highlight the clinical features of this condition.
Keywords: Factitious thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism, tri-iodothyronine
In Press
12 Feb 2024 : Case report
Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870
12 Feb 2024 : Case report
Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PETAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169
12 Feb 2024 : Case report
Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case ReportAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839
13 Feb 2024 : Case report
Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel HematomaAm J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519
Most Viewed Current Articles
07 Mar 2024 : Case report
Neurocysticercosis Presenting as Migraine in the United StatesDOI :10.12659/AJCR.943133
Am J Case Rep 2024; 25:e943133
10 Jan 2022 : Case report
A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263
19 Jul 2022 : Case report
Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128
23 Feb 2022 : Case report
Penile Necrosis Associated with Local Intravenous Injection of CocaineDOI :10.12659/AJCR.935250
Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935250