Search

Objective: Isolated biochemical central hypothyroidism is a presentation we are experiencing more frequently as endocrinologists, with variation in levels of investigation between physicians. We therefore conducted research to investigate the final diagnosis and clinical outcome of patients across multiple hospitals in South Wales with biochemical isolated central hypothyroidism; namely to establish whether this isolated biochemical picture was clinically significant. We also analysed whether there is an association between this biochemical picture and treatment with antidepressant and antipsychotic medications, and how common this is. Design: We performed a retrospective observational study of patients across nine different hospitals in South Wales. We analysed patients referred to endocrinology at each site over a 6‐year period with unexplained isolated biochemical central hypothyroidism. Materials and Methodology: 1022 individual patients' thyroid function test results were identified from our biochemical database using our inclusion criteria. After exclusion criteria were applied, 71 patients' results were analysed as to the final pathophysiology of their central hypothyroidism. Result: Of the 71 patients included in the study, none were found to have any clinically significant pathology on pituitary imaging. On reviewing their medications, 46/71 (65%) were found to be taking psychotropic medications. Conclusions: Our study strongly suggests isolated central hypothyroidism, in the absence of other pituitary hormone dysfunction or visual field defect, does not require further investigation, saving resources as well as sparing patients unnecessary anxiety. It also strongly supports a relationship between patients taking psychotropic medications and biochemical isolated central hypothyroidism, an association only described in a very limited amount of literature before this, and further supporting our previous single‐centre study findings. The mechanism behind this is likely to be the suppression of thyrotropin secretion via antagonism of the dopamine‐serotoninergic pathway. In our opinion, patients found to have isolated biochemical central hypothyroidism who are taking psychotropic medications can therefore be regarded to have a recognised cause for this biochemical finding and do not require further radiological investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the final diagnosis and clinical outcome of patients referred to endocrinology in our district general hospital with biochemical isolated central hypothyroidism (CeH), and whether there is an association between this biochemical picture and treatment with antidepressant and antipsychotic medications., Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study of patients referred to endocrinology with unexplained biochemical isolated CeH over a 5-year period., Results: Of the 29 patients included in the study, 4 were found to have a partially empty or empty sella and 1 to have a bulky pituitary gland which was deemed to be an incidental radiological finding. No patients had any clinically significant pathology. On reviewing their medications, 18/29 (62%) were found to be on psychotropic medications., Conclusions: Our study suggests a relationship between patients on psychotropic medications and biochemical isolated CeH, an association only described in a very limited amount of literature prior to this. The mechanism behind this may be suppression of TSH secretion via antagonism of the dopamine-serotoninergic pathway. Determining a correlation between psychotropic medications and isolated CeH could lead to the avoidance of further radiological investigations and unnecessary anxiety for patients. However, a larger observational study is needed to provide further evidence to support/refute our finding.