THE INFLUENCE OF THYROID HORMONES ON METABOLISM IN PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS. I. THE EFFECT OF 3:5:3′-TRIIODO-THYRONINE ON CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM IN PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS*

Abstract

The effect of the intravenous and oral administration of 3:5:3[image]-triiodothyronine on calcium and phosphorus metabolism was studied in a series of 13 psychiatric patients. The metabolic observations in 3 schizophrenic patients are presented in detail, with reference made to the 10 other patients similarly studied. In these 3 patients the loss of phosphorus resulting from the administration of the hormone corresponded to the amount expected on the basis of nitrogen and calcium balance determinations. This observation is at variance with findings in myxedema. In the latter condition, triiodo-thyronine induced a loss of phosphorus exceeding the amount theoretically anticipated, indicating the breakdown of phosphocreatine and an increased rate of turnover of adenosinetriphosphate. In certain schizophrenic patients, triiodothyronine induced a negative calcium balance, primarily due to increased fecal loss of calcium. In other schizophrenic patients, no effect on calcium balance was observed and, at times, calcium retention was increased. The appearance of evident strong emotions corresponded in time to the induction of negative calcium balances in certain patients receiving triiodothyronine. The psychopathologic and biologic implications of these observations are discussed.