Concentration of T3 and T4 in blood of non-irradiated and irradiated with different doses rats fasted for two days beforehand

There were no changes in concentration of T3 and T4 in blood of the rats that were irradiated with a dose of 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 Gy in comparison with non-irradiated rats, if the animals were not fed for two days before decapitation. This suggests that the effect of ionizing radiation on thyroid function is mediated by anorexia syndrome. The decrease in concentration of T4 after exposure to 8 Gy cannot be explained by postradiative anorexia and most likely is connected with starting enterotoxemy in difficult cases of acute radiation sickness.