Analysis of thyreostats: a history of 35 years.

Thyreostatic drugs (TS), illegally administrated to livestock for fattening purposes, are banned in the European Union since 1981 (Council Directive 81/602/EC). This paper reviews the trends in the analytical approaches for the determination of TS drugs in biological matrices. After a brief introduction on the different groups of compounds with a thyreostatic action, the most relevant legislation regarding the residue control of these compounds is presented. An overview of the analytical possibilities for the determination of TS in animal matrices, covering sample extraction, purification, separation techniques and detection methods is provided. Additionally, a brief outline of animal experiments is described that illustrates the excretion and distribution profiles of TS residues. Finally, the novel developments in TS analysis are highlighted. Also the possible semi-endogenous status of thiouracil is discussed.

History of disorders of thyroid dysfunction.

The first description of thyroid diseases as they are known today was that of Graves disease by Caleb Parry in 1786, but the pathogenesis of thyroid disease was not discovered until 1882-86. Thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism was first performed in 1880, and antithyroid drugs and radioiodine therapy were developed in the early 1940s. Thomas Curling first described hyopothyroidism (myxoedema) in 1850 and the cause and suitable treatment were established after 1883. This paper reviews the main landmarks in the history of thyroid disease, supplemented by a brief discussion of the historically relevant scientific aspects of the thyroid gland, and the evolution of endocrinology as a formal discipline.