Symptoms & Signs
The symptoms of factitious hyperthyroidism are the same as those of hyperthyroidism caused by the thyroid gland, with these exceptions:
- There is no goiter. The thyroid gland is usually small.
- The eyes do not bulge, as they do in Graves disease (the most common type of hyperthyroidism).
- The skin over the shins does not thicken, as it occasionally does with people who have Graves disease.
Diagnosis & Tests
The following test results may indicate factitious hyperthyroidism:
- High levels of free T4
- High levels of total T3
- High levels of total T4
- Low radioactive iodine uptake
- Low levels of thyroglobulin
- Low levels of TSH
-
Factitious hyperthyroidism : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
-
Factitious hyperthyroidism : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
-
Factitious hyperthyroidism : Treatment
Review Date : 6/17/2008
Reviewed By : Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2010 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
