Abnormal Iodoprotein in Nontoxic Goiter

Abstract

ABNORMAL iodoproteins have been found in the serum and thyroid glands of patients with various thyroid diseases: thyroiditis^{1 2 3}; thyroid cancer^{4 , 5}; exophthalmic goiter (Graves's disease)⁶; and occasionally nontoxic goiter.^{7 8 9 10} These iodoproteins are in general butanol insoluble and resemble albumin in their solubility and electrophoretic mobility. The production of large amounts of iodoprotein may contribute to the genesis of nontoxic goiter by diverting iodide into metabolically inactive material. In recent years several enzymatic defects in thyroid-hormone synthesis have been recognized as contributing to the development of nontoxic goiter: iodide-trapping defect; oxidase defect; deiodinase deficiency; coupling defect; and an abnormality . . .