Thyroid hormones association with depression severity and clinical outcome in patients with major depressive disorder

Abstract

The clinical implications of thyroid hormones in depression have been studied extensively and still remains disputable. Supplementation of thyroid hormones is considered to augment and accelerate antidepressant treatment. Studies on the role of thyroid hormones in depression deliver contradictory results. Here we assess theirs impact on depression severity and final clinical outcome in patients with major depression. Thyrotropin, free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations were measured with automated quantitative enzyme immunoassay. Depression severity and final clinical outcome were rated with 17-itemic Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HDRS(17)] and Clinical Global Impression Scales for severity and for improvement (CGIs, CGIi). FT3 and FT4 concentrations were significantly positively correlated with clinical improvement evaluated with CGIi (R = 0.38, P = 0.012; R = 0.33, P = 0.034, respectively). There was a significant correlation between FT4 concentrations and depression severity assessed in HDRS(17) (R = 0.31, P = 0.047). Male patients presented significantly higher FT3 serum levels (Z = 2.34, P = 0.018) and significantly greater clinical improvement (Z = 2.36, P = 0.018) when compared to female patients. We conclude that free thyroid hormones concentrations are associated with depression severity and have an impact on final clinical outcome. It can be more efficient to augment and accelerate the treatment of major depressive disorder with triiodothyronine instead of levothyroxine because of individual differences in thyroid hormones metabolism.

Effect of Yi-nao-jie-yu decoction on γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor in the hippocampus and serum inflammatory factors in a rat model of poststroke anxiety

“…The HPA axis pathways, which have rich neuroimmunological interactions, have gained recent attention, and dysregulation of the HPA axis can persist for several years after a stroke 32. Conversely, the HPT axis has received little attention in clinical and experimental studies of acute stroke, although anxiety may lead to thyroid abnormalities, in serum FT4 and FT3 33,34. In the present study, serum FT3 levels were decreased compared with the sham group.…”

Levels of Serum Folate and Cobalamine in Clinically Depressed Patients in North Indian Population

“…A study conducted by Berent D and his associates on 44 patients found that the TSH serum level in patients with depression were within normal range. [16] In the instant study, TSH level was found decreased in the patients group (2.4914) as compared to control group (2.9350). [16] Association between depression and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was studied by José María De la Roca-Chiapas and his associates in 68 patients.…”

“…[16] In the instant study, TSH level was found decreased in the patients group (2.4914) as compared to control group (2.9350). [16] Association between depression and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was studied by José María De la Roca-Chiapas and his associates in 68 patients. They found that fasting glucose level was higher (175+-63.5) and their glycaemic control was also poor.…”

Latent Class Analysis: a new vision of the phenomenon of depression in elderly men in the Brazilian Northeast

“…The incidence of hypothyroidism increases after 60 years, often ranging from 0.5% to 5% in cases of frank hypothyroidism and 15% to 20% in cases of subclinical hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone concentrations are associated with the severity of depression and may have an impact on the final clinical outcome 26 .…”