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Cited by 19Thyroid Disorders and TreatmentsForensic Toxicology and Drug AnalysisPoisoning and overdose treatments

The DOI matches its Crossref record.

Lethal thyroid storm after uncontrolled intake of liothyronine in order to lose weight

Hartung, Benno, Schott, Matthias, Daldrup, Thomas, Ritz-Timme, Stefanie·2010·International Journal of Legal Medicine
DOI 10.1007/s00414-010-0423-y
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Abstract

Thyroid hormones are sometimes used for purposes for which they are not approved. Reasons for off-label use can be overweight, prevailing depressive mood, or various somatic symptoms. Information about the intake of thyroid hormones in order to lose weight can be easily obtained from inappropriate/nonmedical websites. The objective of this case report is to describe the first case of a lethal abuse of liothyronine. The case was a 29-year-old male (BMI 32) without relevant illnesses. An autopsy was performed and followed by histological, toxicological, and clinical chemistry examinations. The autopsy revealed no relevant pathology. Histology showed multiple areas of focal cell necrosis in the myocardium and signs of acute heart failure including severe edema of the lungs; the follicles of the thyroid gland were markedly plump. Postmortem laboratory results indicated lethal liothyronine intoxication. Despite prevailing opinion, uncontrolled intake of liothyronine can cause lethal thyroid storm in a euthyroid patient without manifested cardiac illnesses.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00414-010-0423-y

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Research works printed but not linked: 20

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Metadata

Authors
Hartung, B., Schott, M., Daldrup, T., & Ritz-Timme, S.
Affiliations
Düsseldorf University Hospital (DE)
Corresponding author
Hartung, Benno
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Legal Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2010-02-10
Volume
124
Issue
6
Pages
637-640
ISSN
  • 0044-3433 (ISSN-L)
  • 0937-9827
  • 1437-1596
DOI
10.1007/s00414-010-0423-y
OpenAlex
W2002301685
Cited by
19
References
0
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2012: 3
FWCI
1.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • International Journal of Legal Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Poisoning and overdose treatments
Keywords
thyroid storm, liothyronine, drug abuse, weight loss, euthyroid patients, acute heart failure, autopsy findings
MeSH terms
Adult, Autopsy, Humans, Male, Myocardium, Necrosis, Thyroid Crisis, Thyroid Gland, Triiodothyronine, Fatal Outcome, Substance-Related Disorders, Off-Label Use

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Lethal thyroid storm after uncontrolled intake of liothyronine in order to lose weight. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1007/s00414-010-0423-y
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Hartung, B., Schott, M., Daldrup, T., & Ritz-Timme, S. (2010). Lethal thyroid storm after uncontrolled intake of liothyronine in order to lose weight. International Journal of Legal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-010-0423-y

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