| Definition: |
Thyroid preparation overdose is poisoning from any thyroid preparation.
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| Poisonous Ingredient: |
- Levothyroxine
- Liothyronine
- Liotrix
- Thyroid
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
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| Where Found: |
- Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid)
- Liothyronine (Cytomel)
- Liotrix (Thyrolar, Euthroid)
- Other thyroid medication
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
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| Symptoms: |
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| Home Treatment: |
DO NOT induce vomiting.
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| Before Calling Emergency: |
Determine the following information:
- Patient's age, weight, and condition
- The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
- When it was swallowed
- The amount swallowed
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| Poison Control, or a local emergency number: |
Call Poison Control or your local emergency number -- they will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. If possible, take the container with you to the emergency room.
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| What to expect at the emergency room: |
Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
- Administering activated charcoal and a laxative
- Monitoring vital signs (blood pressure, pulse)
- Monitoring EKG (heart function)
- Treating symptoms
- Drawing blood to test thyroid hormone level
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| Expectations (prognosis): |
The prognosis (probable outcome):
Toxicity is rare. If proper treatment can be obtained in a timely manner, recovery is very likely -- unless there are cardiac complications, which may result in fatality. Symptoms are not necessarily associated with the level of toxicity. Symptoms are often delayed up to one week, and may be treated successfully with several medications. Chronic, long-term overuse is often more serious than a one-time overdose.
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