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Amphetamine-Induced Hyperthyroxinemia
- JOHN E. MORLEY, M.B., B.Ch.;
- REX B. SHAFER, M.D.;
- MICHAEL K. ELSON, Ph.D.;
- MICHAEL F. SLAG, M.D.;
- MICHAEL J. RALEIGH, Ph.D.;
- GARY L. BRAMMER, Ph.D.;
- ARTHUR YUWILER, Ph.D.; and
- JEROME M. HERSHMAN, M.D.
Abstract
Four patients had high serum thyroxine (T4) concentrations during periods of heavy amphetamine abuse. After amphetamine was withdrawn, serum T4 returned to normal. Administration of amphetamine to monkeys induced a rise in serum T4; in this model the high T4 level appeared to be caused by increased serum thyrotropin. The mechanism of this effect is unclear but is presumably mediated via the hypothalamus. Awareness of transient hyperthyroxinemia due to amphetamine may allow the physician to avoid confusion with true thyrotoxicosis.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Neuroendocrine Research Laboratory and the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and the Neurobiochemistry Research Laboratory, Brentwood Veterans Administration Medical Center, the Endocrine Research Laboratory, Wadsworth Veterans Administration Medical Center, and the Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, California.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Rex B. Shafer, M.D.; Nuclear Medicine Service (115), Veterans Administration Medical Center, 54th Street and 48th Avenue South; Minneapolis, MN 55417.
- © 1980 American College of Physicians
