In the article, we consider the symptoms of an overdose of thyroxine.
What medications you will not find today on the shelves of Russian pharmacies. Moreover, in order to purchase them, a prescription from a doctor is often not required at all. We have been taught that there is a remedy for any disease and that you can buy it at the nearest pharmacy, which, by the way, is now in any supermarket. You never know what ailment can catch a person when leaving the store!
But the fact that for each medicine there are contraindications for use, as well as possible side effects, an overdose, and in some cases, taking it in general can be life-threatening, not everyone delves.
The symptoms of an overdose of L-thyroxine will be described below.
Hormonal drugs
Hormone pills are in the first place among drugs, which simply need to be treated with suspicion and special care. Some experts doubt the need for such tools. These drugs always have a lot of contraindications for use, although in pharmacies they are easily accessible to everyone.
It is important to realize that the effect of hormonal drugs is very strong, because their use without a doctor’s prescription often leads to an overdose of some hormones.
What consequences can this have? Improper use of drugs can lead to serious complications for the whole body: to obesity, blood clots in the vessels, the development of hypertension and other dangerous diseases. Naturally, the hormonal failure of the body must be treated, but entrust it to a specialist, so as not to encounter the unpleasant consequences of an overdose of hormones.
How does natural thyroxine work?
First, let's figure out what it is. Thyroxine is the main thyroid hormone, accounting for 70-80% of all produced by the endocrine system. It consists of tyrosine and iodine protein - a substance that is produced by each organism during normal functioning. In the case when the endocrine system is not in order, an additional intake of its synthetic analogue may be required. This is exactly what the thyroxine drug is.
Why is it needed?
In human blood, thyroxine circulates in two forms - associated with special proteins and in free. Therefore, the examination determines both the total and free amount of this hormone. It is able to increase blood pressure, performs many more functions, such as:
- acceleration of metabolic processes;
- mood boost;
- cleansing the body systems of cholesterol deposits;
- heart rate control;
- cell renewal;
- improved tissue respiration;
- improvement of tone in the nervous system;
- participation in fertilization and pregnancy;
- help in the absorption of important vitamins, such as A and B, trace elements such as potassium and calcium, and many others.
pharmachologic effect
This drug has the following effect:
- It provokes the stimulation of nerve cells, increases working capacity, increases human endurance, as a result, the need for sleep and appetite are reduced.
- Tissues begin to consume more oxygen.
- All types of metabolism are accelerated.
- Excess fluid is eliminated from the body, resulting in reduced swelling.
- Thermogenesis increases, sweating intensifies.
Side effects of the application
Each drug has side effects, and “Thyroxine” is no exception. Symptoms are as follows:
- Allergic reactions.
- Hyperactivity.
- High blood pressure.
- Heart rhythm disturbance (tachycardia, arrhythmia, etc.).
- Feeling of anxiety, insomnia.
- Muscle tremors.
- Headache.
- Osteoporosis may develop, as the drug leaches calcium from the body.
- In women, a menstrual cycle may occur.
- Possible diarrhea, vomiting.
- Along with body fat, muscle loss can occur.
Thyroxine hormone deficiency
The lack of this hormone - hypothyroidism - has an extremely negative effect on the general condition of the whole organism. First of all, this is a sharp drop in blood pressure, which first leads to the development of hypotension, and subsequently to the development of myxedema - an extreme form of the disease.
Factors causing a lack of this hormone
Endemic goiter is the main cause of lower thyroxine production. It can also be reduced as a result of irradiation, after some surgical operations. Other factors include:
- Damage to the pituitary gland, hypothalamus.
- Intoxication of the body.
- Sharp weight loss or, conversely, obesity.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Long contact with certain types of chemicals in certain types of work
- Excessive alcohol use and drug addiction.
- Inadequate intake of iodine with food.
- Inadequate intake of protein foods.
- The effect of certain drugs and products containing hormones.
- Childbirth.
Women are more prone to thyroxine deficiency than men, and older people are also at risk.
How and when to take "thyroxine" for hypothyroidism?
"Thyroxine" is taken daily (without any breaks) in the morning on an empty stomach, 30-40 minutes before breakfast. The tablet is washed down with water. Even if the dose of thyroxine, which must be taken daily, is large enough, there is no need to divide it into 2 or more doses. Unlike many other hormones, thyroxine circulates for a long time in the blood, and a single “day” of the necessary dose is enough to almost imitate its natural production by the thyroid gland.
Excess hormone
Often there are also symptoms of an overdose of “Thyroxine”. Excessive amounts of the hormone are called hyperthyroidism. More often this indicates the presence of concomitant diseases, such as, for example, thyroid adenoma.
Causes
Overestimated thyroxine during pregnancy or when taking certain medications are considered normal and are temporary.
Hyperthyroidism may develop with:
- Osteochondrosis.
- Pathological disorders in the liver and genitourinary system.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- Uncontrolled intake of drugs containing iodine.
Also, the production of this hormone is affected by ultraviolet, therefore it is undesirable to be too long in the open sun.
Symptoms of an overdose of "thyroxine" in hypothyroidism are very unpleasant.
Who is strictly forbidden to use the drug?
First of all, people who have serious cardiological diseases, such as:
- Coronary artery disease.
- Angina pectoris.
- Impaired coronary circulation.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Myocardial infarction.
- Severe hypertension.
- Organic lesions of the heart muscle and heart structures.
Symptoms of an overdose of "thyroxine"
The general availability of hormonal drugs, as well as the fact that a person independently prescribes hormone therapy, often leads to an overdose. Chronic (the drug is used for a long period of time) and acute forms are distinguished.
The signs of an overdose of “Thyroxine” are very similar to the manifestations of thyrotoxicosis - a disease whose sign is an excess of thyroid hormones. The person is overexcited, body temperature is increased, muscle weakness is observed, heart rhythm is disturbed. Symptoms of an overdose of "Thyroxine" in all manifest themselves in different ways.
Signs of a mild overdose
The first signs, depending on the person’s age and general condition of the body, may appear immediately after taking the medicine, after a few hours or a few days.
From the digestive system, digestive disorders, diarrhea, pain in the stomach and intestines, and lack of appetite can be observed. On the part of the cardiovascular system - increased heart rate and pulse. From the nervous system - increased sweating, sleep disturbance, feeling tired. There is motor anxiety, tremor of the limbs, a person experiences a sense of anxiety, fear. The temperature may rise slightly, an allergic reaction may be observed.
Acute overdose
Consider the main signs of acute overdose when taking "Thyroxine" in large doses, when the substance acts as a poison for the body.
Symptoms appear on the first day. There is acute pain in the region of the heart, periodic flushes of heat. Suddenly, muscle weakness is felt against the background of nervous excitement. The use of "Thyroxine" in a high dose can lead to heart attack, renal failure, respiratory pathology.
But a very serious consequence of an overdose of “Thyroxine” is a thyrotoxic crisis. It is accompanied by a fainting state, a person can rave, consciousness is disturbed, there is a high possibility of falling into a coma. Symptoms of an overdose of L-thyroxine should not go unnoticed.
The main signs of a thyrotoxic crisis: temperature rises to 40-41 ° C; vomiting, diarrhea, a person is prostrated, lethargic, blood pressure rises, urine ceases to be excreted, up to anuria.
The condition may exacerbate the acute process of liver atrophy.
We continue to consider the symptoms and consequences of an overdose of L-thyroxine.
Signs of chronic intoxication
The consequences of chronic intoxication will develop for some time while taking thyroxine: there is a decrease in body weight; irritability, even tearfulness, psycho-emotional lability; heat intolerance is possible; heavy sweating; change in sleep and wakefulness; memory loss, decreased attention, fatigue; osteoporosis; cramps in the muscles of the lower extremities; shortness of breath is observed; pressure rises; heart palpitations; in women, the menstrual cycle may be disrupted, hair may begin to fall out.
An overdose of thyroxine with hyperthyroidism can be very dangerous.
In pregnant women and children
Pregnancy does not interfere with hormone intake. The drug does not affect the embryo in the first trimester, does not cause gene mutations, as this is prevented by the placental. In breast milk, the hormone content remains in small doses, insufficient to cause disturbances in the physiological development of the baby.
In children, the medicine can cause tremors in the arms and legs. The drug should be prescribed with caution, especially if the child is sick with epilepsy, or he has seizures. “Thyroxine,” in this case, may exacerbate symptoms, which will worsen the condition.
What to do in case of overdose at home?
So, an overdose of "Thyroxine" was discovered, what should I do?
Sequencing:
- Rinse the stomach: give 3-4 glasses of ordinary water to drink, induce vomiting, for which you need to press your fingers on the root of the tongue
- Take any sorbent from a home medicine cabinet (activated carbon, Polysorb, Enterosgel).
- Take a laxative - with symptoms of an overdose of L-thyroxine, it is necessary to take saline in order to retain water in the intestine (saline solution - a tablespoon of salt in half a glass of water).
Further consider the comments about the symptoms and consequences of an overdose of “Thyroxine”.
Reviews
Experts say that “Thyroxine” stimulates cardiovascular activity. The drug in the right therapeutic doses improves metabolic processes in the heart, muscles, liver and kidneys. Lack of thyroxine, as well as its excess, disrupts the functioning of internal organs and systems of the whole organism and, in some cases, stimulates the accumulation of fat reserves.
The ability of “Thyroxine” to influence fat deposition leads to the fact that it is used as a means for losing weight. On the Internet, more and more reviews about this area of its application. People say that even with severe obesity, the effect begins to appear from the first days of admission. Thyroxine works similarly to the natural hormone. Although for weight loss medication is used last.
The tool refers to strong hormonal drugs, so its use should be carried out only under the supervision and as directed by a doctor. It is important to remember the consequences of an overdose of Thyroxine. Doctors are not tired of warning that self-medication, as well as attempts to lose weight with it, can cause unpredictable consequences.
However, the problem, according to consumer reviews, lies in the fact that more and more fakes of the drug appear on the pharmaceutical market.
We examined the symptoms of an overdose of L-thyroxine and reviews about it.