Mass spectral properties of volatile derivatives of thyronine (T0) and use of these in the study of thyronine excretion in eu-, hyper- and hypothyroidism.

The mass spectral properties of four classes of derivatives of thyronine are discussed ( oxazolidinone , O-methyl oxazolidinone , O-acetyl oxazolidinone and N,O- diheptafluorobutyryl methyl ester). An assay for thyronine in human urine is described based on the N,O- diheptafluorobutyryl methyl ester. Results of T0 excretion in euthyroid humans were compared with those obtained previously using an assay based on the O-acetyl oxazolidinone derivative. Patients with frank hyperthyroidism had significantly higher T0 excretion than euthyroid subjects (2 alpha less than 0.002) and hypothyroid patients lower T0 excretions than euthyroid subjects (2 alpha less than 0.002). Some overlap between the two pathological ranges and the normal euthyroid range was evident.