Basal Thyroid Functions in First Episode Depressive Illness : a Controlled Study

Significant but subtle abnormalities in the thyroid functions in depressive patients, have been reported. Basal thyroid functions of 33 drug naive depressive patients having first episode of illness were compared with 31 healthy matched controls. The mean value of total thyroxin (T(3)) was significantly higher in depressives. Total triiodothyronine (T(3)) was lower in depressive patients but the difference was not significant. The mean value of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was comparable in the two groups No significant difference was found with respect to total T(4) and total T(3) when depressive patients with various subtypes of depression were compared. But depressive patients with psychotic features had significantly higher mean value of TSH as compared to those without them. The findings are discussed in relation to the available literature.