THE EFFECT OF ORAL THYROID MEDICATION UPON THE PROTHROMBIN TIME

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Abstract
PRIOR to the free use of iodine in the treatment of Graves' disease a significant number of cases developed cirrhosis of the liver (2). The belief that hepatic dysfunction was in a great measure responsible for post-operative thyroid crises prevalent in the pre-iodine periods is strengthened by the striking similarity between these reactions and those frequently observed in cholemia after traumatic or surgical shock. Graves' disease is of complex activity. The question posed is whether thyroid excess exerts adverse effects upon the liver. The literature on the subject is very meager and evidently itsimplications have been little appreciated. The relationship becomes clinically significant because of the enormous and ever increasing quantities of thyroid extract used for therapeutic purposes. A study was made to learn whether altered liver function could be demonstrated in a group of patients given thyroid medication in substantial doses over varying periods of time. HEPATIC FUNCTION TEST

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