[Intravenous and oral TRH-stimulation test: comparison of the value of both tests concerning diagnosis and therapy of thyroid diseases (author's transl)]

Abstract

15 euthyroid patients, 15 patients with a so-called non toxic goiter, 7 patients with hypothyroidism and 14 patients with hyperthyroidism (Grave's disease and autonomous adenoma) were submitted to intravenous (200 micrograms) and oral (40 mg) TRH-stimulation tests. After the oral application of TRH the patients with a normal thyroid function and the patients with a goiter showed an increase of the concentration of TSH which was about 1 1/2 fold higher than after the intravenous application of TRH. The patients who suffered from hypothyroidism showed a different reaction after intravenous and oral application of TRH. The patients with a hyperthyroidism had neither after the intravenous nor after the oral application of TRH an increase of the peripheral concentration of TSH. Therefore both intravenous and oral TRH-stimulation tests seem to be apt in the same way for the diagnosis of thyroid diseases and for the control of the therapy when thyroid hormones are applied.