VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY IN DISEASE OF THE THYROID GLAND: ITS DETECTION BY DARK ADAPTATION1

Abstract

59 patients with various endocrinopathies and 30 non-endocrine controls were investigated for vit. A deficiency by means of the dark adaptation method. 26 cases with pituitary and adrenal disturbances gave variable results. 18 of 20 patients with thyrotoxicosis showed pathologic dark adaptation. Patients with autonomic imbalance on the borderline of hyperthyroidism (6 cases) showed normal dark adaptation. In 7 hypothyroid patients the dark adaptation was markedly pathologic. The data suggest that the thyroid hormone is essential for conversion of carotene and storage of vit. A.