The effect of thyroidectomy on the development of stress ulcers was determined in the rat. This study was performed in 42 rats divided into four groups. Group I animals (n=10), reviewing no surgery and no stress, served as controls. Group II animals (n=9) were subjected to thyroidectomy, Group III rats (n=11) were subjected to restraint stress and in Group IV (n=12) rats having had previous thyroidectomies were subjected to individual restraint stress. In the last group thyroidectomy was performed two weeks prior to stress. Rats having had previous thyroidectomies plus individual restraint stress, had a significantly (p<0.05) increased incidence of stress ulcers (2.08 ± 0.52 ulcers/rat) when compared to euthyroid stressed controls (0.87 ± 0.32 ulcers/rat). It is concluded that low circulating thyroid hormones, due to thyroidectomy, have a significant ulcerogenic effect.

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