Thyroid dysfunction in chronic schizophrenia in albania

Abstract

BackgroundThyroid dysfunction is relatively common in patients with schizophrenia.This study seeks to determine the prevalence and pattern of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid antibodies presence in a group of adult psychiatric inpatients with chronic schizophrenia.MethodsThyroid function tests and thyroid antibodies measurement were performed on 88 patients hospitalized in Psichiatric Clinic of UHC “Mother Teresa” from december 2006 to december 2007.55 of them (62,5%) were females and 33 of them (37,5%) males. A median age of 43 years (range16 to 70 years) and a median duration of hospitalization of 10 years (range 1 to 30 years) was assessed.ResultsTAb were found in 22 patients (25%), of which 18 females and 4 males. 16% of them resulted with positive anticorps for Hashimoto Thyroiditis; 9% for Graves‘disease.According to thyroid function tests70% had normal test, 8% had elevated TSH: 3% of them with low thyroid hormones and 5% with normal thyroid hormones. 20% of cases had low TSH: 5% of them with high level of thyroid hormones, 15% with normal thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism was more frequent in elderly patients ( > 60 years old), and in those treated with Risperidone. Most of cases (73%) with thyroid disorders resulted from endemic geographic areas. 37% of them mentioned familial history for thyroid pathology, and 23% for diabetes mellitus type 1.ConclusionThyroid abnormalities are common in patients with chronic schizophrenia.This fact call for caution in the use and interpretation of thyroid function tests in these patients.

Levothyroxine Augmentation in Clozapine Resistant Schizophrenia: A Case Report and Review

“…About 30–36% of patients with chronic schizophrenia have abnormal thyroid tests, but, in clinical terms, they are euthyroid [ 14 , 15 ]. These abnormalities may disappear following successful treatment of schizophrenia and may also have a correlation with treatment response to antipsychotics [ 16 ].…”

Clozapine-Associated Hypothyroidism

“…5 This has been ascribed to 5HT2c antagonism by dibenzodiazepines. 6 Interestingly, one-third of patients with schizophrenia have been reported to have abnormal TFTs including high anti-thyroid antibodies titre compared with healthy controls 7 Moreover, levothyroxine augmentation of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia was reported. 8 Dysregulations of the pituitary–thyroid axis continue to be of interest given the interaction with the dopaminergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic systems, together with relationships with myelination and proinflammatory response, which are strongly implicated in schizophrenia.…”