Ankle reflex timing as a screening procedure for the detection of hypothyroidism.

MEASUREMENT of the ankle reflex time by means of a kinemometer has been shown to be a useful aid in the clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism (Abraham, Atkinson, and Roscoe, 1966). It is not known whether it will also serve as a screeing procedure for this disorder. In the Birmingham region a follow-up system has recently been initiated to effect the continued surveillance of thyrotoxic patients treated with radioactive iodine (Barker and Bishop, 1969). These patients require periodic screening for hypothyroidism. Before the follow-up system was devised, a preliminary study was made on a group of patients treated with 131I from 6 to 14 years previously. As part of this study the ankle reflex times of the patients were measured.