Plasma glycerol and glycerol turnover during treatment of hyperthyroidism

Abstract

The plasma glycerol concentration was studied in hyperthyroid patients during carbimazole treatment and after radioiodine therapy. The glycerol concentration varied generally in close correspondence to the change in protein-bound iodine, T 3 uptake test, and 131I uptake by the thyroid gland. The glycerol turnover rate decreased and was within normal limits when the treated patients were euthyroid. The results indicate that, besides the disappearance of the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism, the fat mobilization was normalized on adequate treatment; also that the determination of the glycerol concentration in blood provides information similar to that of conventional laboratory tests when examining for hyperthyroid function.