Role of the Thyroid and of Iodine in Nutritional Anemia

Abstract

The experiments here described were undertaken to ascertain whether different functional levels of the thyroid gland as induced by the administration of iodine play any part in the development or severity of the anemia produced by milk feeding.Kunde, Green and Buno1 have shown that hypothyroidism is accompanied by mild anemia and Drennan, Malcolm and Cox2 produced thyroid hyperplasia in rats on a diet of white bread and fresh milk. This hyperplasia was easily corrected by the addition of a small amount of iodine. The iodine content of milk is low but varies considerably in different samples,3 thus suggesting that lack of iodine and consequent thyroid hypo function may complicate the nutritional anemia in some instances.Male rats, chosen from litters made anemic by the method of Elvehjem and Kemmerer,4 were weaned and continued on whole milk powder (Klim) until 6 weeks of age. They were then placed in individual screen bottom cages and for the succeeding 8 weeks were fed the various supplements indicated i...