Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia as a Test of Pituitary-Adrenal Function in Thyrotoxicosis

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Abstract
The insulin tolerance test was performed in 10 patients before and after treatment of thyrotoxicosis. Plasma cortisol was measured in response to the insulin-induced hypoglycemia. As a group, no definite abnormality of pituitary-adrenal function was found, but some individual cases demonstrated impaired cortisol responses, suggesting that in severe stress steroid therapy may be necessary in certain hyperthyroid patients. Although fasting blood sugar levels were significantly elevated prior to treatment, following the onset of euthyroidism there was no alteration in the insulin sensitivity, which was normal.