Serum lipids and thyroxine were determined in 26 men participating in a 90-km 
cross-country ski race, before, immediately after, and on the following days. 
Serum cholesterol was unchanged immediately after the race, but then fell 
significantly and remained low during the observation period. During the race 
the fatty acid composition of serum free fatty acids changed towards the 
composition of ordinary adipose tissue. The compostiion of serum triglycerides 
showed similar but less pronouced changes. On the following days an increase in 
the arachidonic, and a decrease in the linoleic acid fraction of the total serum 
lipids were observed. Total thyroxine and free thyroxine in serum were 
significantly increased at the end of the race, but had returned to the 
pre-raced levels during the rest of the observation period. The observations 
correspond to the findings during acute, severe illness, and are compatible with 
the hypothesis that some of the changes in serum lipids following severe somatic 
stress are due to increased thyroid hormone activity.