Thyroid Function in Relation to Dyslexia (Reading Failures)

Abstract

Serum total thyroxine was measured in a group of 47 boys and 6 girls who suffered from functional dyslexia. Functional dyslexia is an actual reading level of, at least, 1½ years below mental expectancy. The thyroxine content of the serum of these children was markedly elevated compared to normal readers of similar age distribution (mean thyroxine concentration; dyslexic, 11.44 ug/dl; normal control = 7.69 ug/dl). These results indicate functional dyslexia is associated with systemic change in metabolism.