THE PLASMA PROTEIN-THYROID HORMONE COMPLEX IN MAN. III. FURTHER STUDIES ON THE USE OF THEIN VITRORED BLOOD CELL UPTAKE OF I131-l-TRI-IODOTHYRONINE AS A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OF THYROID FUNCTION*†

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Abstract
An analysis is presented of over 2900 determinations of the in vitro red blood cell uptake of Il31-l-triiodothyronine from whole blood and its correlation with thyroid status in man. The results indicate that this simple and rapid test, which avoids the administration of radioactivity to the patient, possesses a diagnostic accuracy comparable to other standard methods. It permits the assessment of thyroid function under circumstances in which other standard methods may not be applicable (particularly after the administration of organic iodine-containing compounds), it is useful in following the course of therapy for hyper- and hypothyroidism. The uptake is decreased in normal pregnancy and after administration of estrogen; lack of a decrease during pregnancy may presage miscarriage. The uptake is increased in nephrosis, in certain cases of liver disease and metastatic malignancy, in pulmonary insufficiency with CO2 retention, in paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias, and following administration of anticoagulants. It is believed that this method is a practical and useful additional tool for the diagnosis, therapy, and further investigation of thyroid physiology and disease.