THE EFFECT OF l-THYROXINE ON SERUM LIPOPROTEIN AND CHOLESTEROL CONCENTRATIONS*

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effect of intravenous administration of 6 mg. per week of l-thyroxine for a period of sixteen weeks on low-density and high-density serum lipoproteins, total serum cholesterol, body weight, pulse and blood pressure was studied in a group of 13 institutionalized ambulatory schizophrenic patients. S°f0–12 and S°f12–20 serum lipoprotein concentrations were significantly reduced, but no effect on S°f20–100 and S°f100–400 was observed. Total serum cholesterol as well as high-density serum lipoprotein concentrations were also significantly reduced. The reuction in low-density serum lipoprotein concentrations was found to be highly correlated with initial (pre-treatment) levels, resulting in greater decreases in serum lipoprotein concentrations the higher the initial level. Body weight and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly and pulse rate increased. l-Thyroxine is an effective hypolipoproteinemic substance, producing a pattern of changes in serum lipoprotein and total serum cholesterol...