[Thyroxin binding globulin (TBG) radioimmunoassay. Normal patients results according to age, and sex, and in the cases of dysthyroidisms (author's transl)].

The value of TBG serum concentration for the exploration of thyroid function was studied by radioimmunoassay in 203 patients (133 normals, 62 dysthyroidism, 8 women taking oral contraceptives). The results of the normal patients show important and as of yet unexplained variations of TBG levels, depending on age and sex. In hyperthyroidism, serum TBG was reduced significantly in women and no significantly in men.

[Metyrapone test and plasma hormone estimations (author's transl)].

The usual metyrapone test based on the determination of the urinary steroid levels after ingestion of the product is relatively difficult to use because of its duration. In order to simplify this test, a comparative study was carried out with thirty subjects, 24 of whom were normal, by measuring their plasma hormonal levels by radioimmunoassay for ACTH, cortisol and aldosterone and by radiocompetition after extraction by carbon tetrachloride for the 11-desoxycortisol (S compound). The results show a parallel between the variation of the urinary steroid levels and the variations of plasma hormone levels during the first 24 hours of the test.

[Unusual isotope scanning aspects of hot thyroid nodules: diagnostic problems].

The classical picture of development of the "hot" nodule, which takes into account at the same time fixing or non-fixing nature of healthy perinodular tissue and the clinical condition of the patient fails to explain certain biological and scintigraphic findings. The authors discuss problems related to scintigraphy which they encounter in the course of the examination. In 174 stimulation tests carried out, 12 resulted in hypofixation of the isotope in the nodule, scintigraphy being carried out in three patients using 99-mTcO4 spontaneous reactivation of healthy tissue was seen in 5 patients.

[Application of correspondance factor analysis to function testing of the thyroid].

Biological data concerning 249 thyroid patients have been treated by using correspondance factor analysis. This statistical treatment has enabled us to compare 2 types of associated tests (in vitro, in vivo) and to evaluate their respective contribution to the diagnosis of different thyroid diseases. There appeared also certain possibilities for the use of such a method in the future: determination of a biological profile for thyroid disease and for Grave's disease patients in course of treatment.