BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuThyroid preparation overdoseThyroid preparations are medicines used to treat thyroid gland disorders. Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose. Symptoms of thyroid preparation overdose can be the same as symptoms of stimulant medicines.This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with has an overdose, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient These ingredients in thyroid medicines can be poisonous if a person takes too much of the medicine:Levothyroxine Liothyronine Liotrix (in international medicines) Other thyroid medicineOther thyroid preparations may also contain harmful ingredients. Where Found The poisonous ingredients may be found in these medicines with these brand names:Levothyroxine (Euthyrox, Levo-T, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Thyro-Tabs, Tirosint, Unithroid) Liothyronine (Cytomel) Other thyroid medicine Symptoms Symptoms of poisoning with this type of medicine include:Anxiety, nervousness Tremor, shaking TremorA tremor is a type of shaking movement. A tremor is most often noticed in the hands and arms. It may affect any body part, including the head, tong...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Insomnia InsomniaInsomnia is trouble falling asleep, staying asleep through the night, or waking up too early in the morning. Episodes of insomnia may come and go or ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Confusion Muscle aches or cramps Irregular heartbeat Palpitations PalpitationsPalpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Chest pain or discomfort Changes in menstrual pattern Dilated pupils Excessive sweating, skin flushing Excessive sweatingSweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration. Sweating helps...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea, vomiting Diarrhea Weight loss Shock (extremely low blood pressure and collapse)ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Seek medical help right away. Do not make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to do so. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known) The time it was swallowed The amount swallowed If the medicine was prescribed for the person Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What to Expect at the Emergency Room Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.Your provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.If the medicine was swallowed, tests may include:Blood and urine tests Chest x-ray CT scan (advanced imaging) of the brain for neurologic symptoms Electrocardiogram (ECG)ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment may include:Activated charcoal Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator) Fluids through the vein (IV) Laxative Medicines to treat symptoms Outlook (Prognosis) People who receive quick treatment make a good recovery. But heart-related complications can lead to death. Symptoms may not appear until a week after the overdose or may build up over time. They may be treated successfully with several medicines.Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Thyroid hormones. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:931-944.Thiessen MEW. Thyroid and adrenal disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 117.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Review Date: 7/1/2023 Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Thyroid preparation overdoseThyroid preparations are medicines used to treat thyroid gland disorders. Overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. This can be by accident or on purpose. Symptoms of thyroid preparation overdose can be the same as symptoms of stimulant medicines.This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with has an overdose, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Poisonous Ingredient These ingredients in thyroid medicines can be poisonous if a person takes too much of the medicine:Levothyroxine Liothyronine Liotrix (in international medicines) Other thyroid medicineOther thyroid preparations may also contain harmful ingredients. Where Found The poisonous ingredients may be found in these medicines with these brand names:Levothyroxine (Euthyrox, Levo-T, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Thyro-Tabs, Tirosint, Unithroid) Liothyronine (Cytomel) Other thyroid medicine Symptoms Symptoms of poisoning with this type of medicine include:Anxiety, nervousness Tremor, shaking TremorA tremor is a type of shaking movement. A tremor is most often noticed in the hands and arms. It may affect any body part, including the head, tong...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Insomnia InsomniaInsomnia is trouble falling asleep, staying asleep through the night, or waking up too early in the morning. Episodes of insomnia may come and go or ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Confusion Muscle aches or cramps Irregular heartbeat Palpitations PalpitationsPalpitations are feelings or sensations that your heart is pounding or racing. They can be felt in your chest, throat, or neck. You may:Have an unpl...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Chest pain or discomfort Changes in menstrual pattern Dilated pupils Excessive sweating, skin flushing Excessive sweatingSweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration. Sweating helps...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea, vomiting Diarrhea Weight loss Shock (extremely low blood pressure and collapse)ShockShock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do n...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care Seek medical help right away. Do not make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to do so. Before Calling Emergency Have this information ready:The person's age, weight, and condition The name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known) The time it was swallowed The amount swallowed If the medicine was prescribed for the person Poison Control Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.Poison control centerFor a POISON EMERGENCY call:1-800-222-1222ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATESThis national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. This ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What to Expect at the Emergency Room Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.Your provider will measure and monitor your vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.If the medicine was swallowed, tests may include:Blood and urine tests Chest x-ray CT scan (advanced imaging) of the brain for neurologic symptoms Electrocardiogram (ECG)ElectrocardiogramAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment may include:Activated charcoal Breathing support, including oxygen, tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator) Fluids through the vein (IV) Laxative Medicines to treat symptoms Outlook (Prognosis) People who receive quick treatment make a good recovery. But heart-related complications can lead to death. Symptoms may not appear until a week after the overdose or may build up over time. They may be treated successfully with several medicines.Open ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Thyroid hormones. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:931-944.Thiessen MEW. Thyroid and adrenal disorders. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 117.