ABSTRACT
The efficacy of protein-bound iodine (PBI) determination of the serum as an aid in evaluating thyroid function is presented. The study consists of 85 medical students and staff of the UP-PGH Medical Center who were clinically evaluated as euthyroid. Blood samples were taken and PBI was determined utilizing the procedure by Barker, Humphrey, and Soley. Twenty-four hyperthyroid and nine hypothyroid subjects were evaluated clinically. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) studies were doneThe PBI values obtained ranged from 3.9-9.6 gamma with a mean of 6.87 gamma . No significant difference was found between the student group and the non-student group. The scattergram showed definite elevation of PBI values in hyperthyroidism and lowering in hypothyroidism. A statistically significant difference was observed between hyperthyroid and hypothyroid values. Comparison of PBI and BMR values showed that PBI results were more consistent than BMR in evaluating euthyroidismThe study indicated that PBI determination has a definite use in the evaluation of thyroid function. Some advantages of PBI over BMR as well as extraneous factors influencing PBI are presented in the report