Basal metabolic rate pathology

The basal metabolic rate is almost always greater than normal in patients with hyperthyroidism, and its determination is often of considerable diagnostic value. The increased metabolism is responsible for the warm body, hypersensitivity to heat, and profuse sweating observed in hyperthyroids. In many cases of thyrotoxicosis, cardiac pathology dominates the clinical picture. In mild cases, the patients complain of palpitation and tachycardia the pulse beat ranges between 90 and 140. Usually the blood pressure remains normal but occasionally systolic pressure is increased and diastolic pressure is normal. 

Hyperthyroidism is a feature of Graves s disease (Basedow s disease, or exophthalmic goitre), the pathology of which is still obscure. In Graves s disease the basal metabolic rate may be 50 per cent, above normal in an average case, and up to 100 per cent, above normal in a severe case. 

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