Study of Thyroid Function and Lipid Profile in Depression Patients

Depression is a common mental disorder, associated with a global increase in disabilities and suicidality. Different factors are responsible for depression in which thyroid dysfunction and dyslipidemia are the biological causes. This study aimed to find the association and alteration of thyroid function tests and lipid profiles among patients with depressive disorders.

A case-control study was performed on patients being managed for depressive disorder visiting the Psychiatry Department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. The blood samples were collected from 40 newly diagnosed cases of depressive disorder not under any drugs and 80 from healthy individuals. Thyroid hormones and lipid profile parameters were analyzed in Johnson and Johnson, ECI Vitros 3600, US, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, and BT-1500. Data were collected and statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22.

Among the 40 patients with depressive disorders, 27.5% had thyroid dysfunction with sub-clinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism among 12.5%, 12.5%, and 2.5% respectively. Similarly, dyslipidemia was observed in 37.5% of participants. About 52.5% of patients managed for depressive patients were found to have anxiety as well. Despite an alteration of thyroid hormones, there was no significant correlation between thyroid hormones and lipid parameters in patients being managed for depressive disorder.

This study concludes that thyroid dysfunction and dyslipidemia are seen among depressive patients with unclear reasons. For proper diagnosis and treatment of depression, it is better to carry out thyroid function tests and lipid profiles.