RADIOACTIVE IODINE UPTAKE IN THE HYPERMETABOLISM OF ACROMEGALY

Abstract

The hypermetabolism which occurs frequently in acromegaly has been commonly regarded as thyroid in origin. To test this hypothesis, the thyroid uptake of tracer doses of I131 was measured in 7 acromegalic subjects who had moderate to marked elevation of the BMR. I131 uptakes in these cases were in the low or the low normal range and considerably below the levels of uptake of hyperthyroid patients measured by the same technic. This evidence indicates that the hypermetabolism of acromegaly is not mediated through the thyroid.