Effect of halothane, nitrousoxide anesthesia and surgery on plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] levels in man

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of halothane, nitrous oxide and surgery on plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone [T.S.H.] in 20 patients by utilising a radio-immuno assay technique. Measurements of serum thyroid levels were performed simultaneously. The study demonstrated that neither halothane, nitrous oxide anaesthesia, nor surgery influenced appreciably the plasma T.S.H. concentration. However, serum thyroxine level in the halothane group increased significantly, though no significant variation in serum thyroxine level was detected in the nitrous oxide group. These data would suggest that T.S.H. appears to play little role in the control of serum thyroxine level under the stress of anaesthesia and surgery in man