BLOOD CHOLESTEROL IN THYROID DISEASE

Abstract

In December, 1930, Mason, Hunt and I¹ published observations on the blood cholesterol in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The results of forty-seven determinations of the blood cholesterol in patients with toxic goiter were reported, and it was definitely shown that low values were found in severe cases, although there appeared to be no individual reciprocal relationship between the elevation of the basal metabolic rate and the lowering of the blood cholesterol. The present study was begun on a larger group of patients to determine whether our impression that the degree of clinical toxicity is reflected more accurately in the lowering of the blood cholesterol than by the basal metabolic rate is correct. Furthermore, the behavior of the blood cholesterol as the result of the various therapeutic procedures warranted further study. METHOD OF STUDY The cases studied were unselected, specimens of the blood having been taken as a routine in all