Abstract
Thyrotoxic patients treated with lodine-131 (131I) often present with low thyroxine (T4), normal triiodothyronine (T3) and raised thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations in serum. We have developed a rat model of this low T4, raised TSH state. Rats were injected with 50, 150 or 450 μCi 131I. A dose of 50 μCi 131I caused no significant effect on thyroid function, as assessed by serum parameters whereas both 150 μCi and 450 μCi131I caused a significant fall in serum T4 concentration accompanied by a significant rise in TSH concentration. In all groups serum T3 concentration was not significantly altered when compared to controls. The clearance of 131I from the rats showed a single exponential curve (t 1/2 3.38 ± 0.61 days) over the range of 131I doses used. Differing body weights had no effect on the serum T4 changes induced by 131I.
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Reilly, C.P., Symons, R.G. & Wellby, M.L. A rat model of the 131I-induced changes in thyroid function. J Endocrinol Invest 9, 367–370 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346944
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03346944