THE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL TENSIONS AND STRAINS ON FLUCTUATIONS IN THE LEVEL OF SERUM PROTEIN-BOUND IODINE

Abstract

The effect of physical and emotional tensions and strains on the fluctuation of the serum protein-bound iodine level was studied in groups of healthy people and in two groups of patients. The effect of the tension and strain of examination was observed in 11 medical students preparing for annual examinations and in 11 Royal College of Physicians candidates. The stress of athletic contest on the protein-bound iodine level was observed in 7 professional football players in training and during their scheduled games. There was no fluctuation beyond that found in normal healthy persons. Similarly, in 8 patients prior to and following major operations and in 9 patients following myocardial infarction, the fluctuations of the serum protein-bound iodine level remained within the usual normal range. Our data fail to provide any evidence that the function of the normal thyroid gland is readily affected by severe mental and physical stresses or strains.