Thyroid hormone alterations among women with posttraumatic stress disorder due to childhood sexual abuse.
BACKGROUND
Research on thyroid activity among male combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has consistently shown elevations in total triiodothyronine (TT3) and inconsistent elevations of other thyroid variables. This study is the first large scale investigation of thyroid function in women with PTSD.


METHODS
Thyroid function was measured in 63 women with PTSD due to childhood sexual abuse (PTSD-CSA) in comparison with a community sample of 42 women without current PTSD-CSA. Clinical measures included the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Evaluation of Lifetime Stressors, the Trauma Assessment for Adults and the Beck Depression Inventory.


RESULTS
Women with PTSD-CSA showed significant elevations in Total T3 and the TT3/free thyroxine (TT3/FT4) ratio, the FT3/TT3 ratio, and modest reductions in thyroid stimulating hormone relative to our community sample. These findings could not be explained by the influence of prior trauma, lifetime PTSD or depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Altered thyroid activity, especially elevated Total T3 levels, was found in women with PTSD associated with childhood sexual abuse.
Friedman
Matthew J
MJ
Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, USA. Matthew.Friedman@Dartmouth.Edu
Wang
Sheila
S
Jalowiec
John E
JE
McHugo
Gregory J
GJ
McDonagh-Coyle
Annmarie
A
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine