A Study of Depression and Thyroid Levels in Drug Naive First Episode Depression

Depression is a major public health problem. Thyroid dysfunction is often seen in patients with depression. Thyroid function test can be considered as an integral part of the evaluation of newly diagnosed depressed patients. The present study was planned to assess the thyroid profile in drug naïve first episode depression cases and to find out a correlation between severity of depression and thyroid level. The present study included 25 patients with first episode depression who were drug naïve from Out Patient department of Psychiatry, Govt. Rajaji Hospital, Madurai. It is a cross sectional study and they were evaluated for thyroid profile. The following tools were used to assess the subjects, they were HDRS, PSLES and SES. The present study revealed that serum T3 and T4 level rises significantly with the severity of depression. It is concluded that, in newly diagnosed depressed patients, evaluation of thyroid profile is essential for effective management.