Basal Metabolism and Vital Capacity

Lung volumes and distensibility, and maximum respiratory pressures in thyroid disease before and after treatment.

“…The position is certainly less clearly defined than has been stated (Bates et al, 1971), both for myxoedema and thyrotoxicosis. The present results in thyrotoxicosis support the view of Lemon and Moersch (1924): "As to the primary fundamental physicochemical cause of the decreased vital capacity in hyperthyroidism, we are still uncertain and must await further investigation. However, we believe the secondary and direct cause is the cardiac inefficiency which arises from the primary source, the thyroid."…”

“…This observation was confirmed by Rabinowitch (1923) and Lemon and Moersch (1924). The reduction in VC is reversible with successful treatment and is associated with, and attributed to, weakness of the respiratory muscles with reduced maximum respiratory pressures (Stein et al, 1961;Wasserman 1962).…”

Pulmonary Function in Hyperthyroidism*

“…Previous investigators, including Peabody and Wentworth in 1917 (1), have described dyspnea and a decreased vital capacity in hyperthyroid patients (2,3). Following successful therapy of hyperthyroidism, an increase in the vital capacity to normal levels has been observed.…”

Studies on the Velocity of Blood Flow

“…He observed that the minute volume of pulmonary ventilation at rest was not related to the diminution in the vital capaciy of the lungs. Lemon and Moersch (10) compared the vital capacity of the lungs and basal metabolic rate in 85 subjects. They found a tendency toward decreased vital capacity with increased metabolic rates, but stated that there was no precise relationship between the two measurements in a given individual.…”