Assessment of autonomic functions in hypothyroidism.

ABSTRACT

Disturbances in autonomic functions have been observed in many diseases including hormonal disorder (Banisters 1983). Present study was undertaken to study the autonomic functions in thyroid hormones on in 60 untreated hypothyroid patients, using Valsalva and deep breath test, cold pressor test, hand grip test and orthostatic test to assess the sympathetic and parasympathetic reflexes. The results obtained in this study were compared with the age sex matched controls. It is concluded that the sympathetic response is not altered in the hypothyroid cases while reflex vagal activity is significantly reduced.