Effect of lithium on RBC water permeability.

Response To the Editor: Cook and Lcventhal have correctly pointed out that decrcaaed caloric intake is an important cause of the cuthyroid sick syndrome. We agree that decreased caloric intake may account for the findings of decreased tree and total ‘1‘3 in depressed patients as compared with euthymic patient5 and normal CO~Itrola. They have also provided a very comprchcnsive review of the effects of altered nutritional status on thyroid function testa. Although we would also agree that the study ot metabolic and nutritional state ih important in determining the potential importance of altered thyroid function tests in depressed patienta. WC would bc cautious about their statement that “successful treatment of depression with T3 may represent the first evidence of the potential cflicacy of T3 administration