An Evaluation of the Blood Test for Galactose Tolerance in the Diagnosis of Hyperthyroidism

Several reports have appeared in the literature concerning the experience of various workers with the blood test for galactose tolerance first described by Althausen and Wever in 1937. 1 We 2 have found the test to be a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, and it seems pertinent at this time to summarize and evaluate the results reported to date and to present our additional experience with the test. Hirose, 3 utilizing the test for galactosuria introduced by Bauer 4 in 1906, was the first to demonstrate an impairment of galactose tolerance in thyrotoxicosis. Rowe. 5 using a modification of Bauer's test, found impaired tolerance to galactose in hyperthyroidism, hyperpituitarism, adrenal disease, ovarian and pancreatic failure and hepatic disease. Increased tolerance was noted in hypothyroidism and hypopituitarism. Rowe stressed the complex factors affecting galactose metabolism in the human economy and believed that the tolerance as measured with his technic