Ascorbic acid status of hyperthyroid patients

Abstract

Controlled studies were conducted to find out the total, reduced and dehydroascorbic acid contents of plasma and thyroid tissue in hyperthyroid patients. Leucocyte ascorbic acid, urinary excretion of total ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid saturation tests were also carried out in order to assess the ascorbic acid status of these patients. It was observed that the plasma content of reduced ascorbic acid and total ascorbic acid were significantly subnormal in hyperthyroid patients whereas the dehydroascorbic acid was comparable with the control values. The urinary excretion of ascorbic acid was found to be lower than the control values. This indicates that in hyperthyroid patients the tissue status of ascorbic acid is poor. Thyroid tissue analysis also showed decreased levels of reduced and total ascorbic acid. However, the dehydroascorbic acid content was comparable with the control.