Studies of the Human Thyroid Function, Measured by Radio-Iodine, and Its Relation to the Basal Metabolic Rate

Abstract

A method of estimating thyroid function with carrier-free radio-iodine which provides an arbitrary numerical scale of thyroid activity is described. It is suitable for investigating borderline thyroid dysfunction.The results on over 500 psychiatric patients are given in the form of histograms, and arbitrary limits of normality are defined on the basis of these results.While there is usually a correlation between the tracer method and the basal metabolic rate, cases exist in which increased thyroid activity, determined by the radio-active method, is associated with normal or subnormal B.M.R. and vice versa. This is explained as a disturbance of the sensitivity of body tissues to thyroid hormone.The significance of under-sensitivity to thyroid hormone and related problems is discussed, and the importance of considering peripheral sensitivity of the tissues of the body in evaluating an abnormal thyroid activity is emphasized.

Thyroid Function Assay With Radioiodine. I. Physical Basis of Study of Early Phase of Iodine Metabolism and Iodine Uptake 1

“…The mean experimental curves for 4 for seven patients in this series are shown in Figure 5 (a), while the mean curve for the volume of the iodide space V, calculated from the plasma assays in sixteen serial observations (eleven patients), is shown in Figure 6. Series B A second series of eight "high-k" hyperthyroid cases has been examined to find the early part of the 4 curve.…”

“…There may be present quite large experimental errors. 4. Unknown dietary or other factors may cause confusion.…”

“…Technical improvements would be of particular benefit if applied to observations made in this early period, because such tests give an earlier decision. An early thyroid uptake test of this type has been described by Haigh and his coworkers (2)(3)(4), and much improved versions more recently by Berson, Yalow, Sorrentino, and Roswit (5), and Clarke and Aujard (6). Loverdo Assisted by Grant C-1866 from the National Health Institute, Division of Research Grants.…”

Plasma Activity Levels in Radio-iodine Tests of Thyroid Function

“…Case 16, diagnosed as mild exophthalmic Graves's disease, and Case 24, diagnosed as mild toxic goitre, are obviously grossly toxic as judged by all "31I indices, and may represent errors in clinical assessment or be explained by a hypersensitivity of the patients to normal thyroid hormone levels (Reiss et al, 1952). Case 18 is also grossly toxic as judged by plasma activities, but falls into the normal range of " T " index, which could be explained by a failure in accurate assay of activity.…”

Significance of the Thyroid in Psychiatric Illness and Treatment

“…Methods.-The radioactive tracer methods used have already been described (Haigh and Reiss, 1950;Reiss et al, 1952). The normal ranges are seen in Fig.…”