THYROID FUNCTION FOLLOWING HYPOPHYSECTOMY IN MAN*†

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Abstract
Thyroid function was studied in 28 patients with advanced cancer following complete hypophysectomy and in 7 patients with advanced cancer following incomplete hypophysectomy. Within 4 weeks after total hypophysectomy, values for serum protein bound iodine (PBI) and thyroidal I131 uptake fell to myxedema levels. Clinical hypothyroidism developed within 4-8 weeks following total hypophysectomy in 26 of the 28 patients. Serum PBI level and thyroidal I131 uptake either fell transiently or did not change in patients with incomplete hypophysectomy. Development of laboratory and clinical hypothyroidism appears to be a good index of complete hypophysectomy. The thyroid gland was examined histologically in 6 cases. In 2 there was atrophy and fibrosis, and in 4 there was a slight decrease in the height of the follicular epithelial cells.