title: Should thyroid augmentation precede lithium augmentation--a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has not been investigated whether thyroid augmentation should precede lithium augmentation or vice versa.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 22 outpatients with major depression not responsive to 4 weeks of antidepressant treatment, the effect of subsequent 4 weeks of thyroxine administration followed by 4 weeks of lithium augmentation was compared with the effect of the same treatments in reverse order.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage reduction in MADRS score was significantly greater in patients who started on thyroxine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thyroxine augmentation should precede lithium augmentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We used relatively small doses of lithium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thyroxine is effective in augmenting antidepressant responses.
authors.affiliation: University of Helsinki, Department of Psychiatry, Aleksi Medical Center, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spoov
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lahdelma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008094:Lithium; D013974:Thyroxine