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Effect of lithium on thyroid function in adolescents with mood disorder
Rati Ranjan Sethy1, Vinod Kumar Sinha2
1Department of Psychiatry, IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Background:
The purpose of the study was to determine thyroid gland volume and the frequency of thyroid dysfunction by using ultrasonography and laboratory parameters (TSH, T3, and T4) in long term lithium treated adolescent patients with mood disorder.
Methodology:
In a cross-sectional study, we performed ultrasonography and thyroid function test in 30 adolescent patients on long-term lithium treatment for mood disorder. Patients with adequate serum lithium levels for one year or more were taken for the study. Ultrasonography examinations of thyroid gland and thyroid function test were performed in these patients. Patients who were on other mood stabilizers were taken up as controls.
Result:
The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and ultrasonographically measured thyroid volume were significantly higher in patients receiving lithium in comparison to patients with other mood stabilizers. A significant positive correlation was found between total thyroid volume and TSH levels.
Conclusion:
Adolescent mood disorder patients on long term lithium therapy have increased thyroid volume and isolated increases in serum TSH levels compared to those on other mood stabilizers.
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