Abstract
In a series of 39 patients with major depression, 16 were found to have delta thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) results greater than 20, suggestive of subclinical hypothyroidism. The two groups of patients did not differ in severity of depression (Beck Depression Inventory), in subclinical symptoms of mood disorder (the General Behavior Inventory), in family history of depression, or in family history of thyroid disorder. Thyroid hormone treatment alone was given to 8 of these 16, all of whom had full remissions (p = 0.004). Six-month follow-up data indicated that these remissions were maintained, while thyroid function measures were significantly improved. Depressed patients who have thyroid insufficiency as determined by delta TSH results may respond to treatment with thyroid hormone, without need for antidepressants.
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