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Thyrotoxicosis is associated with hypomagnesemia. Therapy leads to restoration of serum magnesium concentration. The clinical significance of the disturbance in magnesium metabolism is discussed on results of two groups of patients with hyperthyroidism. One group of 7 patients with high serum thyroxine levels and mild clinical signs of thyrotoxicosis showed a normal magnesium concentration in serum. In a second group with further 7 patients serum magnesium level did not increase during therapy while thyroxine decreased in spite of lack of clinical improvement. The results suggest that serum magnesium concentration is primarily determined by 1-triiodothyronine.

By histochemical and histometrical methods the the effect of l-triiodothyronine on the zona glomerulosa from rat adrenal cortex was investigated. Glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase and 3-beta-OH-steroiddehydrogenase activities were determined in slices of adrenal cortex. No increase in activities of these enzymes was observed after treatment with l-triiodothyronine. In contrast, histometrical studies showed a significant enlargement of nuclei in the zona glomerulosa as well as in the zona fasciculata. This observation suggests enhanced secretory activity of both zones of the adrenal cortex of the rat.