Factitious hyperthyroidism is higher-than-normal thyroid hormone
levels in the blood that occur from taking too much thyroid
hormone medication. Factitious thyrotoxicosis; thyrotoxicosis
factitia; thyrotoxicosis medicamentosa Causes, incidence, and
risk factors: The thyroid gland produces the hormones thyroxine
(T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). In most cases of hyperthyroidism
, the thyroid gland itself produces too much of these hormones.
However, hyperthyroidism can also be caused by taking too much
thyroid hormone medication for hypothyroidism . This is called
factitious hyperthyroidism. When this occurs because the
prescribed dose of hormone medication is too high, it is called
iatrogenic, or "doctor-induced," hyperthyroidism. Factitious
hyperthyroidism can also occur when a patient intentionally
takes too much thyroid hormone, such as in people: - Who have
psychiatric disorders such as Munchausen syndrome - Who are
trying to lose weight - Who want to get compensation from the
insurance company Children may