URINARY EXCRETION OF THIAMIN IN CLINICAL CASES AND THE VALUE OF SUCH ANALYSES IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF THIAMIN DEFICIENCY 1

Abstract

Thiamin in urine was detd. by utilizing its reaction with diazotized p-aminoacetophenone. After study of factors influencing excretion of thiamin in normal subjects tests were done on 89 hospital patients and 24 normal subjects. The 24-hr. urinary thiamin excretion in subjects whose previous dietary intake of thiamin had been adequate, and who ingested an adequate diet on the day of the test, way 90 [gamma] to 350 [gamma] for 19 [male][male], and 43 [gamma] to 200 [gamma] in 17 [female][female]. Under similar conditions, the 24-hr. excretion in subjects whose preceding diet had been definitely inadequate in thiamin for at least 1 mo. was 66 [gamma] or below in 12 [male][male] and 43 [gamma] or less in 7 of 8 [female][female]. 27 subjects with preceding adequate thiamin intake excreted over 7.5% of an oral test dose of 5 mg. of thiamin in the 1st 24 hrs. after it was taken following a meal. 14 subjects whose previous diets had been definitely inadequate excreted less than 7% of such a test dose. Values indicating thiamin subnutrition were obtained in all 3 cases of "alcoholic beriberi" studied, in 12 of 21 patients presenting clinical evidence of deficiencies in other food factors, in 6 of 7 patients with decompensated organic heart disease, in 1 of 7 patients with thyrotoxicosis, in 0 of 6 regulated diabetics. 19 patients receiving antacid medication for peptic ulcer and 4 patients with achlorhydria excreted abnormally small amts. of thiamin in the urine when the diet furnished the entire source of the vit.; however, only 8 of these excreted less than 7% of the oral test dose.