HYDROCORTISONE AND/OR DESICCATED THYROID.

Abstract

Twelve obese adults were starved with water as desired for 2 weeks. Desiccated thyroid was adminstered to 7 of these subjects in dosages increased by 1 grain daily to a total of 15 or 16 grains per day. Therapy with desiccated thyroid during the starvation regimen cancelled and reduced, respectively, the usual decrease in NPN and in serum CO 2 observed during starvation alone. Also such treatment with thyroid regularly raised the serum PBI and usually increased the BMR. Electrocardiographic changes consisted of tachycardia in some but not all patients treated with thyroid and occasional S-T and T wave depression during starvation with and without this hormone. The administration of desiccated thyroid in increasing dosages during treatment of obesity by total starvation increased the mean weight loss by 38 per cent above that recorded with starvation alone, viz. from 9.3 to 13.0 Kg. in 2 weeks. Potassium losses from cells wer about 14 per cent higher during the second week of starvation and thyroid administration. The addition of desiccated thyroid to the starvation regimen did not increase the proportion of the body weight losses attributable to loss of protein. Thus, negative balance of protein accounted for 8.4 per cent of the weight loss in those treated by starvation and 8.3 per cent in those treated by starvation and thyroid administration. Hence, the bulk of the weight loss during starvation and thyroid therapy stemmed, as it did during starvation alone, from losses of body fat and/or body water. Thyroid feeding during total starvation with water had no effect on the usual decrease in extracellular fluid volume observed with starvation alone but external losses of sodium and of chloride were slightly greater during the combined regimen. The combined regimen was well tolerated but it must be emphasized that this is a preliminary report of studies in selected hospitalized patients in good health. The program is not recommended for outpatient or universal trial without regard to age, cardiovascular status, etc.