PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Wickus

Publications and source records attributed to G Wickus.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Recurrence of 131I-induced thyroid storm after discontinuing glucocorticoid therapy.

A 19-year-old woman with Graves' disease developed thyroid storm 8 days after radioactive iodine therapy. The clinical manifestations of thyroid storm promptly improved after treatment with large doses of propylthiouracil, potassium iodide, propranolol hydrochloride, and dexamethasone. Four days after discontinuing dexamethasone, the syndrome recurred and was corrected by reinstitution of the glucocorticoid. We conclude that dexamethasone was an important adjunct for treating thyroid storm and was effective mainly by reducing peripheral triiodothyronine production.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Serum concentrations of the iodothyronines in elderly subjects: decreased triiodothyronine (T3) and free T3 index.

In four groups of subjects free of thyroid disease, the following determinations were made: serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), reverse T3(rT3) and diiodothyronine (T2), and calculated indices of free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3). Group A comprised healthy subjects aged 16-64; Group B, 24 healthy elderly subjects aged 68-95; Group C, 23 elderly patients with mild well-controlled chronic illnesses, aged 70-85; Group D, 40 nursing home residents aged 66-100. Serum T4 and T2 concentrations and the FT4 index were not affected by age; the rT3 concentration was slightly but significantly elevated only in Group D patients. Serum T3 concentration was significantly lower in all groups of elderly subjects and decreased FT3 index measurements were detected after age 75. It was concluded that old age, without complicating illness, is accompanied only by a decrease in the serum level of T3 and the FT3 index; values for other iodothyronines are unchanged. Clinicians should consider the age-related changes in T3 and FT3 values when interpreting thyroid function tests.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Thyroid function tests in elderly hyperthyroid patients.

Several tests of thyroid function were performed in 35 hyperthyroid patients over the age of 65 (elderly). The results were compared to those of similar tests in 48 hyperthyroid patients under the age of 65 (young). Total serum thyroxine (T4) was within the normal range in 14 percent of the elderly and 11 percent of the young hyperthyroid patients. The free thyroxine index (FTI) was within the normal range in 11 percent of both groups. The triiodothyronine uptake (T3U) proved to be a poor test in both groups. Although elevation of the triiodothyronine (T3) level allowed a diagnosis of "T3-toxicosis" in 2 elderly and 3 young hyperthyroid patients, the T3 level was normal in 34 percent of the elderly and 13 percent of the young subjects. Correction of the T3 range for age reduced the number of normal T3 values to 12.5 percent in the elderly hyperthyroid patients. The 24-hour uptake of radioactive iodine was normal in 12 percent of the young hyperthyroid patients, 27 percent of the elderly patients with Graves' disease, and 70 percent of the elderly patients with toxic nodular goiter, despite recent readjustment of the normal range for the test. It is concluded that the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in the elderly may be difficult and that no single test can be relied upon to exclude the diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Decrease in membrane-associated actin of fibroblasts after transformation by Rous sarcoma virus.

The actin content of membranes prepared from cultured chick embryo fibroblasts has been measured on polyacrylamide gels. The actin was identified by tryptic peptide mapping. After transformation of the cells by Rous sarcoma virus, the amount of actin associated with the membranes is decreased by 30-50%. This result is not due to infection per se, since infection by a temperature-sensitive strain of the virus decreases membrane-associated actin only at the permissive temperature. A shift from the nonpermissive (41 degrees) to the permissive (36 degrees) temperature results in an increase in the percentage of total cellular protein synthesis devoted to actin production, so that the decrease in membrane-associated actin appears to be a selective displacement from the membrane rather than a general decrease in total cellular actin.

Actins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Thyroxine toxicosis. A common variant of hyperthyroidism.

To determine the frequency of thyroxine (T4) toxicosis, we calculated a free triiodothyronine index (FT3I) on 124 patients who displayed elevations of the free T4 index (FT4I) on initial screening. If the clinical presentation was not characteristic of hyperthyroidism or if the FT3I was not elevated, a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test was performed. Of 83 hyperthryoid patients, 70 displayed elevations of both the FT4 and FT3 indices. Thirteen patients, however, had elevations of the FT4I alone. This frequency of T4 toxicosis is higher than generally appreciated. Forty-one patients, most of whom were ill with nonthyroidal diseases, had normal TRH test results and were classified euthyroid. We conclude that FT4I elevations owing to T4 toxicosis and nonthyroidal illnesses are common and that the laboratory differentiation between the syndromes may be difficult.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Elevation of the free thyroxine index in psychiatric patients.

We calculated a free triiodothyronine (FT3) index on 124 patients who exhibited symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism and elevations of the free thyroxine (FT4) index on initial screening. A thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test served as the final arbiter of thyroid function if the clinical presentation was not characteristic of hyperthyroidism or if the FT3 index was not elevated. Forty-one of the 124 patients had normal TRH tests and were thus classified as euthyroid. Of these patients with the so-called euthyroid sick syndrome, 23 had psychiatric disorders. In a separate study, we measured a FT4 index on 100 unselected admissions to the psychiatric ward. Of six patients with elevated FT4 values, only one had hyperthyroidism. We conclude that false positive FT4 index elevations occur commonly in psychiatric patients. The mechanism(s) for the FT4 index elevations remain obscure. Despite some limitations, the TRH test is a valuable diagnostic adjunct for diagnosing hyperthyroidism in the mentally ill patient when other tests and serial observations are inconclusive.

Adolescent↗