Abstract
Summary
1. The distribution of total cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and phospho-lipid phosphorus was studied in the blood cells and plasma of thyroid patients. 2. The plasma cholesterol, plasma cholesterol ester, and plasma phospholipid phosphorus were found to be significantly increased in hypo-ihyroid patients. 3. The changes of the plasma lipids were less consistent in hyper-Ihyroidism. The plasma phospholipid phosphorus alone showed a significant decrease.
4. The cell lipid values were found relatively constant both in hypo- and hypsrthyroidism.
5. Definite changes were also found in the different lipid ratios in hypothyroidism. The plasma cholesterol ester/total cholesterol ratio and the plasma cholesterol/plasma phospholipid phosphorus ratio were significantly increased. The cell cholesterol/plasma cholesterol and the cell phospholipid phosphorus/plasma phospholipid phosphorus ratios were significantly decreased. Only the cell cholesterol/cell phospholipid phosphorus ratio remained unchanged. 6. In hyperthy-roidism the change in the ratios was again less constant. The only significant change was the increase of the cell phospholipid phosphorus/plasma phospholipid phosphorus ratio. 7. Both the lipid values and the various lipid ratios returned towards normal following adequate treatment.
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