Lung volumes and distensibility, and maximum respiratory pressures in thyroid disease before and after treatment

Lung volumes, static pressure volume curves of the lung, and maximum respiratory pressures were measured in six patients with thyrotoxicosis and three with myxoedema before and after treatment. After treatment three of the thyrotoxic patients had increases in vital capacity of the same order as previously reported, but in contrast to previous reports, the lung volume changes were not associated with, nor due to, concomitant changes in respiratory muscle performance. Static pulmonary compliance increased in four of the six patients. The initial findings were more in keeping with the presence of pulmonary congestion. Only one of the myxoedematous patients had any significant increase in vital capacity after treatment, and in her case this was clearly attributable to increased inspiratory muscle force.