Year: 2025 | Month: April | Volume: 15 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 102-105
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20250415
Accidental Thyroxine Ingestion in a Toddler: A Case Report on Clinical Course and Management
Dr. Vijayakumar PG1, Dr. Rahul Gopalakrishnan2, Dr. Seethalakshmi S3, Dr. Lydia Jeris W4
1Consultant Biochemist, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Mehta’s Multispecialty Hospitals Pvt Ltd, Chetpet Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Biochemist, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Mehta’s Multispecialty Hospitals Pvt Ltd, Global Campus, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
3Director, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Mehta’s Multispecialty Hospitals Pvt Ltd, Chetpet Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
4Consultant Pathologist and HOD, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Mehta’s Multispecialty Hospitals Pvt Ltd, Global Campus, Velappanchavadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
5Medical Director, Dr. Mehta’s Multispecialty Hospitals Pvt Ltd, Chetpet Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Rahul Gopalakrishnan
ABSTRACT
Accidental thyroxine ingestion in toddlers is a rare but concerning event due to its potential to cause transient hyperthyroxinemia. We report a case of a 1-year-old female who ingested an unknown quantity of thyroxine tablets but remained asymptomatic despite significantly elevated FT3 and FT4 levels. The child was closely monitored with serial thyroid function tests and managed conservatively without pharmacological intervention. Thyroid hormone levels gradually normalized over 11 days without complications. This case highlights the importance of differentiating biochemical abnormalities from true toxicity and reinforces the need for parental education on safe medication storage to prevent accidental pediatric exposures. Early recognition, timely evaluation and appropriate management can ensure a favorable outcome and prevent unnecessary interventions in such cases.
Key words: Accidental ingestion, thyroxine toxicity, pediatric emergency.