Abstract
WHILE the action of thyrotropic hormone on the thyroid gland is well known, the role of epinephrine is not. It has been claimed (Reiss 1949) that epinephrine administration increases the uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid. However, Soffer and associates (1949) reported that treatment with epinephrine decreases the uptake of radioactive iodine. These investigators also observed that the administration of epinephrine resulted in an increased secretion of thyrotropin by the pituitary. In view of these discrepancies it was felt desirable to investigate further the effects of epinephrine administration on thyroid function after short time intervals. Of particular interest in this connection was an interpretation of the significance of the radioiodine content of the thyroid, or “uptake” as it has frequently been called. Another point under consideration was the validity of the prevailing concept of the thyroid gland being a sluggish organ, slow in responsiveness to stimuli.
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