EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON THYROID PARAMETERS AND ON METABOLIC-CLEARANCE RATE OF ANTIPYRINE IN MAN

Serum concentrations of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, free-thyroxine-index, free-triiodothyronine-index and reverse-triiodothyronine (r-T3) were followed in nine normal men, aged 18 to 22 years, during a nights rest and during nine hours march (4.6 km/h). In addition antipyrine elimination was measured in the same periods after iv injection of 1 gram of antipyrine. No significant differences were found in any of the thyroid parameters during exercise except for a small increase in serum r-T3 after 3 hours. During rest a small but significant decrease was found in serum r-T3. Otherwise no significant differences were found except for a significant increase in free-T3-index after 3 hours rest. The mean value of total body clearance of antipyrine was identical at rest and during exercise. In conclusion: Prolonged exercise does not change the metabolic clearance rate of antipyrine and does not elicit any major change in the serum concentrations of the thyroid hormones.