title: Altered endocrine response to partial thyroidectomy in propranolol-prepared hyperthyroid patients.
abstract: The endocrine response to partial thyroidectomy in a group of twenty hyperthyroid patients prepared with propranolol alone was compared to that of a matched control group of ten euthyroid patients. In propranolol-prepared patients the glucose response to surgery was reduced (P less than 0.05) for up to 4 h post-operatively and biochemical hypoglycaemia was noted in one patient. Both thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T3) fell significantly, associated with a marked rise in reverse T3. Growth hormone levels were higher (P less than 0.05) both pre- and post-operatively in propranolol-prepared patients, whereas prolactin levels, although similar pre-operatively, were lower (P less than 0.05) in these patients post-operatively. Cortisol and ACTH levels were lower (P less than 0.05) both before and following thyroidectomy in propranolol-prepared patients. These results suggest that the endocrine response to surgical stress is markedly altered in propranolol-prepared hyperthyroid patients.
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011292:Premedication; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D013965:Thyroidectomy
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D011433:Propranolol; D006854:Hydrocortisone