THE CALORIGENIC ACTION OF THYROID AND SOME OF ITS ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS*

Abstract

Thyroid[long dash](1) whole thyroid (animal), (2) natural thyro-globulin (human), (3) derivatives of thyroglobulin (thyroxin peptone, thyroxin polypeptide, crystalline thyroxin)[long dash]was given to human patients with untreated myxedema orally or intravenously in (1) small daily doses, (2) a single large dose, and (3) orally in small daily doses to patients with treated myxedema. Results: Calorigenic activity of whole thyroid or of thyroglobulin is determined by total organic I content, indicating that the thyroid contains two hormones[long dash]thyroxin and di-iodotyrosin. Diiodotyrosin is active only when combined with thyroxin in protein molecule.