The relationship of serum thyrotropin (TSH) to the thyroid hormones after oral TSH-releasing hormone in patients with preclinical hypothyroidism.

Serum thyroid hormone and TSH concentrations were measured before and after oral TRH (40 mg) administration in 46 women with preclinical hypothyroidism. Preclinical hypothyroidism was defined as serum T4 in the normal range, a normal or elevated basal serum TSH, and an exaggerated serum TSH response to TRH, in the absence of clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism. The results were compared to those in 22 normal women of the same age and body mass index.

[Lipid changes as a possible risk factor in preclinical hypothyroidism. Preliminary report].

In a prospective study the lipids have been investigated in patients with preclinical hypothyroidism (normal values for thyroxine and free thyroxine index but exaggerated response to oral TRH and normal or elevated basal TSH). This group was compared with euthyroid normal subjects and patients with overt hypothyroidism. Cholesterol and triglycerides were normal in patients with preclinical hypothyroidism, in contrast to the increased levels in overt hypothyroidism.

[Thyroid hormones and thyroid reserve in preclinical hypothyroidism].

Preclinical hypothyroidism (i.e. basal thyroxine within the normal laboratory range, basal TSH normal or elevated and exaggerated TSH response to TRH) is a biochemical constellation of uncertain clinical relevance.

The short metyrapone test: comparison of the plasma ACTH response to metyrapone and insulin-induced hypoglycaemia.

Plasma ACTH levels in response to metyrapone and insulin hypoglycaemia were compared in subjects with normal pituitary-adrenal function. After a single dose of 2 g of metyrapone given with a snack at midnight, the ACTH level was 468 ng/l +/- 66 )SEM) at 07.30 h the next morning (mean increment approximately nine fold over normal morning values).

[Standardization of a new thyroid gland suppression test by means of 3000 microgram L-thyroxine].

The suppressibility of the TSH-thyroid axis one week after a single dose of 3000 microgram L-thyroxine was studied in 21 euthyroid subjects. In all cases the normal thyroid function was proven by euthyroid values for thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine index (FT4-I), triiodothyronine (T3), radioiodine uptake, PBI-131, a normal scintiscan and by a physiologic TSH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). Compared to the baseline values the mean suppression of radioiodine uptake at 2,24 and 48 h was 61.