DECREASED RATIO OF SERUM T3-RT3 IN PATIENTS WITH HYPER-THYROIDISM

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 71  (2) , 159-163
Abstract
In 14 hyperthyroid patient serum T4[thyroxine]:rT3 [reverse triiodothyronine] ratio was significantly lower (399 .+-. 20) than in the control subjects (572 .+-. 20; P < 0.001). A similar pattern was found for serum T3[triiodothyronine]:rT3 ratio. In the hyperthyroid group the ratio was significantly lower (10.5 .+-. 0.5) than in the control group (12.5 .+-. 0.6; P < 0.05). In hyperthyroidism the organism might shift conversion of T4 from biologically active T3 to poorly calorigenic rT3. The proportionately increased generation of rT3 than that of T3 may be a defense mechanism of the body, as it was found in systemic illnesses and starvation.