THE DETERMINATION OF COPPER AND ZINC IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGIC HUMAN THYROID TISSUE*†

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Abstract
The concentrations (conc.) of Cu and Zn in normal and pathologic human thyroids and in 17 other normal human tissues were determined. Elevated thyroid Cu conc. were seen in 7 of 12 cancer patients with no thyroid involvement. Nine of 12 thyroid adenoma samples contained an increased Cu concn. Six other pathologic thyroids were analyzed; a probable Graves disease, a recurrent thyroid carcinoma and 1 necrotic adenoma had Cu concn. within the normal range. One papillary adenocarcinoma, a reticulum cell sarcoma and a necrotic adenoma had increased thyroid Cu concns. Zn analyses on the same samples showed an elevated Zn concn. in reticulum cell sarcoma and papillary adenocarcinoma. A slightly decreased Zn concn. was found in necrotic adenoma.