EFFECT OF TRANQUILIZING AGENTS ON RADIOACTIVE IODINE UPTAKE IN THE THYROID GLAND

Abstract

There are many patients who arouse clinical suspicion of having hyperthyroidism yet who do not suffer from true thyrotoxicosis. These patients usually have no enlargement of the thyroid gland and lack the true eye signs of toxic diffuse goiter (Grave's disease). They are nervous and insomnic, complain of palpitation of the heart, and have some degree of tachycardia. They may or may not show evidence of weight loss and may even be obese. A routine study of 24-hour uptake of radioactive iodine (I¹³¹) by the thyroid gland in these persons will often show an uptake which is in the upper normal or even in the toxic range.¹Further studies may reveal normal thyroid function by means of such tests as conversion ratios (ratio of inorganic to organic iodine in plasma) and plasma protein-bound iodine studies. It has been shown that oral administration of thyroid extract or triiodothyronine will