1 The Department of Pediatrics, University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 24, California, and the Pacific State Hospital, Pomona, California
The early thyroidal uptake of I131 was measured in children and adults after an intravenously administered tracer dose of 0.2 to 5.0 µC. The data show that one can distinguish during the first few minutes hyperthyroidism from euthyroid or hypothyroid states and that T-3 suppression tests can be satisfactorily performed during this period. Continuous recording of the uptake permits one to see the hyperthyroid quality of the curve during the first few seconds of the uptake. If sodium perchlorate is administered orally after the 11-minute count, the 24-hour uptake value can be limited to about 2% of the dose in euthyroid individuals. The technique described offers an opportunity to limit the irradiation of the thyroid in certain diagnostic studies. This is of particular interest in children in whom there is probably greater sensitivity to irradiation induced thyroid neoplasia than in adults.
Submitted on June 19, 1962