Hypothyroidism, Hyperlipemia and Carotenemia

Abstract

A 36-yr.-old white [male] presented all the clinical and laboratory manifestations of hypothyroidism associated with hyperchromatic anemia, hyperlipemia and carotenemia. The most remarkable features were blood lipids of 1290 mg.%, cholesterol of 628 mg.% and carotenoids of 0.448 mg.% (normal 0.109 mg.%) which returned to normal after adm. of thyroid extract. There was a concomitant improvement in the anemia with the co-adm. of ferrous sulphate. Clinically the hypothyroid stigmata of the patient disappeared with return of hair to the scalp, body and extremities, loss of brittleness of the nails and restoration of vigor. The yellowish pigmentation of the palms and soles disappeared. As carotene is fat soluble, it is highly probable that the provit. was held in soln. in high conc. by the blood lipids and could not be destroyed or removed by a presumably normally functioning liver.