Thyroid abnormality in patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Little information is available about abnormal thyroid profile of patients with schizophrenia. AIM: To evaluate prevalence of thyroid abnormalities in consecutive inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. METHODOLOGY: Using retrospective study design data of thyroid profile of 270 consecutive patients admitted to psychiatry inpatient unit was analyzed RESULT: The study included 153 males and 117 females. The mean age of the study sample was 33 (11.32) years. Out of 270 patients, 111 patients had either abnormal T3, T4 or TSH levels. Abnormal T4 level was the most common abnormality which was seen in 47 patients, followed by abnormal T3 levels, which was seen in 41, and 38 patients had abnormal TSH levels. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of thyroid abnormalities between males and females. Conclusion: About 41% patients with schizophrenia have abnormal thyroid function.