Although several studies have examined the effects of cimetidine on pituitary-thyroid function, few have investigated ranitidine in this respect. We found no changes in thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) or prolactin responses to TSH-releasing-hormone (TRH) in 10 patients with peptic ulcer disease given oral ranitidine. Serum total and free thyroxine (Ti4 and FT4) concentrations declined slightly, whereas total and free triiodothyronine (Ti3 and FIT3) increased slightly following ranitidine. None of these changes achieved statistical significance. Both the ratio of TT4ITi3 and FT4/FI3, however, declined (P < 0.05) following ranitidine. Thus ranitidine may have a minor influence on peripheral deiodination of thyroxine but has little effect on hormone production from the thyroid gland. The diagnostic value of biochemical tests of thyroid function is not seriously compromised in patients receiving ranitidine.