Levothyroxine Poisoning

Abstract

To the Editor.— We read the recent report by Lehrner and Weir1 of acute levothyroxine ingestions with concern. Advocacy of an aggressive approach disregards their own cases as well as the medical literature,2-5 Which contains at least seven cases of acute excessive ingestion of levothyroxine (five of which were overlooked by the authors). These reports repeatedly emphasize "a striking discrepancy between the high concentrations of active hormones and the minor clinical symptoms"4 and "the benign course after massive ingestion of levothyroxine."5