A Study on Achiles Tendon Reflex in Normal Korean Persons and Various Thyroid Diseases

A simplified photoelectric apparatus producing graphic records of the free Achilles tendon reflex allowed us to study the reflex quantitatively in subjects with normal and abnormal thyroid function. In this study Achilles tendon reflex times were tested in 340 normal Korean persons, 89 hyperthyroid patients, 19 hypothyroid patients and 85 other thyroid disease patients who were euthyroid in thyroid function tests. In normal Korean persons, the Achilles tendon reflex time was delayed with increasing age and slower in female than in male. They showed good correlationship with various thyroid function tests which included ETR, thyroid uptake and serum TSH. Diagnostic accuracy of them was 71% in hyperthyroidism and 90% in hypothyroidism. Finally the serial measurements of them were very useful tests in evaluating the clinical coures of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism once treatment was begun.