Autonomic sympathetic functions as evaluated by cold pressor test and isometric hand grip test in hypothyroid subjects

Present study attempts to compare autonomic sympathetic functions in fresh, uncomplicated, untreated, clinically ‘hypothyroid’ patients with those in healthy control subjects. The tools used for evaluation of sympathetic functions are the Cold Pressor Test and the Isometric Hand Grip Test. These tests are inexpensive and very easy to perform. Thus, if found useful, they could be used as a cheaper alternative to expensive biochemical tests for routine screening of patients for hypothyroidism. However, using these tests, it was finally concluded that lack of thyroid hormone has virtually no effect on the sympathetic system.