TABLE1 (cont'd)
PLATELETS, WOMEN
1988
1989
1990
1991
318 +
312 +
272+
280 +
84(n=47)
68(n=45)
44(n=44)
55(n=39)
319
300
272
296
HEMOGLOBIN, MEN
1988
1989
1990
1991
15.14
14.74
1484
149+
12
16
1.5
13
HEMOGLOBIN, WOMEN
1988
1989
1990
1991
13.4+
13.4+
13.24
13.0+
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
+
+
+
+
87(n=28)
71(n=28)
55(n=29)
71(n=27)
356 + 1§0(n=44)
352+
§B(n=47)*
322 +
SB(n=46)*
336 +
P(n=46)
146+
143+
140+
143+
11
13
1.4
13
15.1+
153+
15.44
15.4+
1.
1
14
14
13.24
133+
13.14
128+
1.0
09
11
14
129+
13.0+
12.9+
B+
143
1.
1.
12
* Significantly different (p <0.05) from the Comparison Group
Hypothyroidism:
Thyroid hypofunction, either clinical or
biochemical, has been documented as a
consequence of radiation exposure in fourteen
Rongelap individuals (Larsen et al., 1982). In
1983 another exposed person was diagnosed as
being biochemically hypothyroid based on results
of routine thyroid function testing (Adamsetal.,
1988). The patient was an asymptomatic 34-yearold man who had no abnormality on physical
examination of the thyroid. Treatment with
synthroid was started in 1984. This represented
the first case of spontaneous hypothyroidism
diagnosed in the Utirik population. He was 1
year of age at the time of exposure, and, being
from Utirik, no thyroxine suppression had been
subsequently prescribed. An estimate ofhis total
thyroid radiation dose was 561 cGy(internal =
550 cGy; external = 11 cGy). Clinical follow-up
of this patient since 1987 has revealed the
following.
At the patient’s request thyroid
function tests were repeated by physicians of the
Health Services of the Marshall Islands while he
presumably was not taking thyroxine. However,
we do not know the assay methodology or
whether the patient in fact, discontinued his
thyroxine. The results were found to be normal.
The conclusion of those physicians was{that he was
euthyroid and that the decrease in thynpid function
noted by the Brookhaven medi
program
represented self-limited hypothyroidifm due to
thyroiditis. However, there was no edence of a
preceding hyperthyroid state.
Furthermore, his thyroid function gtudies over
the years were:
Thyroxine
TSH*
1973
1977
1979
1980
4.8
3.7
6.3
1983
4.7
11.4
5.8
4.2
1981
4.7
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
Thyroxine
,
3.7
0.6
3.7
73
5.4
3.8
3.3
7.5
2.1
TSH*
6.2
3.3
3.0
4.2
*Normal ranges: Total thyroxine}- 4.5-12.5
ug/ml; Thyroid stimulating hormone (TBH) - 0.43-
3.8 ulU/ml.
11