Increases in geomagnetic activity are associated with increases in thyroxine levels in a single patient: implications for melatonin levels.
Blood levels of free T4 (thyroxine), cortisol and prolactin over 19 successive days from a single limbic epileptic patient were correlated with daily geomagnetic activity (aa values) for the northern hemisphere. Only thyroxine levels were correlated (r = 0.66) significantly with the daily geomagnetic activity; the strongest association (rho = 0.76) occurred between thyroxine levels and the geomagnetic activity (Kp values) during the previous night (2:00 A.M. to 5:00 A.M. local time). These results support the hypothesis that suppression of (nocturnal) melatonin levels by increased geomagnetic activity attenuates the tonic inhibition by this pineal compound upon thyroidal metabolism.
O'Connor
R P
RP
Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Persinger
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*
D011388:Prolactin; D008550:Melatonin; D013974:Thyroxine; D006854:Hydrocortisone