Effect of Thyrotoxicosis on the Reflex Hypoxic Respiratory Drive

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Abstract
O2 breath tests were performed in 7 patients with thyrotoxicosis. The inspired air was replaced by O2 without their knowledge for 20 s and the fall in ventilation was recorded. Ventilation fell significantly in all the patients within 40 s. The mean fall was 21.1% (SE .+-. 1.7) below the control value. .beta.-Adrenoreceptor blockade with propranolol had little effecton this reduction in ventilation. The fall observed in 5 patients receiving propranolol was 19.6% (SE .+-. 1.0). After definitive treatment, which rendered the patients euthyroid, the observed reduction in ventilation after breathing O2 was significantly less at 11.7% (SE .+-. 1.2). Patients with thyrotoxicosis have an increased resting reflex hypoxic drive to respiration, when compared with the euthyroid state; this is unaffected by .beta.-adrenoreceptor blockade.

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