Does Fat in the Diet Affect the Thyroid?

Abstract

Addition of saturated or unsaturated fat up to 13.6% of the weight or 30% of the caloric value of an iodine deficient diet, does not aggravate the hyperplasia of the thyroid produced by iodine deficiency. When sodium iodide is added to the diet so as to yield 5 γ of iodine to each 10 gm. of diet, the addition of fat is still without effect on the thyroid. The experiments refute the theory that there is any specific function of the thyroid gland in the metabolism of fat. Adding fat to a diet consisting of wheat gluten 18, dried pig liver 2, yellow corn meal 78, calcium carbonate 1 and sodium chloride 1, retards growth and produces non-specific symptoms of deficiency.