Psychosomatic Medicine 18:310-323 (1956)
© 1956 American Psychosomatic Society

Psychophysiological Studies in Thyroid Function

¹ Allan Memorial Institute of Psychiatry, McGill University, the Department of Radiology and the University Clinic, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
² Allan Memorial Institute of Psychiatry, McGill University, the Department of Radiology and the University Clinic, Royal Victoria Hospital Montreal, Quebec, Canada

In 71 psychiatric patients thyroid function was investigated, using as an index of hormonal secretion the biological decay in I¹³¹ in the gland over a 3- to 4-week period. No correlation was found between the activity of the gland and the degree of anxiety.

In addition, 38 stress interviews were carried out using as an index of possible short-term fluctuation the level of the plasma protein-bound I¹³¹. No significant change due to stress was noted.

As a positive correlation was found between the type of curve in the first group of 27 patients studied and the psychodynamic formulation, a prediction was made of the type of decay curve in a subsequent group of 44 patients, on the basis of the psychiatric data. This prediction proved to be right in 34 cases, that is, at the level of significance of 0.01 < p < 0.001. Consequently, in spite of the shortcomings of the method (we have been unable to control several variables that might influence the decay), these findings can be considered as an experimental verification of previous psychosomatic studies in hyperthyroidism.

Note:
^* On leave of absence, University of Marseilles, Faculty of Medicine, while the present work was carried out. Present address: Hôpital de la Timone, Marseilles, France.