What is thyrotoxicosis?

Thyrotoxicosis is a condition that develops when a patient is exposed to an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. This can occur in the setting of specific disorders that affect the thyroid gland. It can also occur when a patient is taking an excessive dose of pharmacologic thyroid hormone. If a prescribed dose of levothyroxine is too high, over time a patient may begin to experience palpitations, anxiety, shakiness, insomnia, and difficulty tolerating excessive heat. Long-term exposure to excessive levels of thyroid hormone may lead to an increased risk of developing an irregular heartbeat or gradual thinning of the bones that can lead to osteoporosis. These risks are avoidable if care is taken to ensure that prescribed doses of levothyroxine are high enough to suppress TSH without increasing overall levels of thyroid hormone.

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