An unusual sensitizing action of thyroid substance on the effect of epinephrin in man.

Abstract

During a study on the behavior of the autonomic nervous system in man, the following observation was made:

A woman 27 years old, suffering from hypothyroidism received epinephrin, 0.015 mg. per kilogram of body weight (total 1.16 mg.) (tablets of Parke, Davis and Company) solution 1:1000, subcutaneously. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the pulse rate were recorded for 95 minutes following the injection. Readings were made at intervals averaging three minutes. The chart shows that there was only a slight rise (max. 12 mm.) in the systolic and a relatively marked fall (max. 34 mm.) in the diastolic blood pressure. The pulse rate showed a maximum increase of 22 beats per min. The patient felt comfortable during and following the test except for a slight tremor lasting a few minutes.

Following the injection of epinephrin the patient took an average of 0.8 gm. (14 gr.) of dessicated thyroid substance (Burroughs, Wellcome Tabloids) daily for seven weeks (47 gm. or 780 gr., total). During the last three weeks the patient experienced occasional tremor of the fingers, perspiration, a sensation of warmth and was excitable. She lost 11 1/2 pounds in weight in the last four weeks of the thyroid administration.

The basal metabolism (Miss L.) was 87.5 per cent with respiratory quotient 0.803 before taking thyroid, and 109 per cent with respiratory quotient 0.769 following the administration of the substance.