Thyroid abnormality in patients with bipolar affective disorder

BACKGROUND: Little information is available about abnormal thyroid profile of patients with bipolar affective disorder. AIM: To evaluate prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in consecutive inpatients diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder. METHODOLOGY: Using retrospective study design data of thyroid profile of 110 consecutive patients admitted to psychiatry inpatient unit was analyzed RESULT: The study included 75 males and 35 females. The mean age of the study sample was 43 (16.32) years. Out of 110 patients, 54 patients had either abnormal T3, T4 or TSH levels. Abnormal T4 level was the most common abnormality which was seen in 35 patients, followed by abnormal TSH levels, which was seen in 34, and 23 patients had abnormal T3 levels. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of thyroid abnormalities between males and females. Conclusion: About 49% patients with bipolar affective disorder have abnormal thyroid function.