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EDITORIALS: Judith Lumley Attempts to prevent postnatal depression BMJ 2005; 331: 5-6 [Full text]

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What about thyroid hormone levels?

Cornelia Cefai   (10 July 2005)

Thyroid hormone levels. Relevance of autoimmune thyroiditis and postpartum depression

Detlef Degner, Merle Haust   (21 July 2005)

What about thyroid hormone levels? 10 July 2005
Cornelia Cefai, Scientist molecular biologist/biocehmist and mother of two children Melbourne Victroia Australia 3000 Send response to journal: Re: What about thyroid hormone levels?	Has anyone consdiered the fact that many of these women with PND may in fact be sufferring from a conditon known as Post Partum Thyroidits (PPT) but have NOT yet been diagnosed due to the fact that the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) reference range, still in use in many countries in the world, is WRONG??? How long will it take for the news to filter down to EVERYONE in the medical system that it has been found that a TSH over 2.0 mIU/L is highly suspiscious?? For more information please refer to the recomendations set in 2002 by the NACB (National Academy of Biochemists) and the AACE (American Association of Clincial Endocrinologists). The new more narrower TSH referfnce ranges recomended are as follow: NACB: 0.4 - 2.5mIU/L ACCE: 0.3 - 3.0mIU/L There is a lot to be said about the Post Partum period and the most important one is that has been incredibly poorly researched and understood. But before any further studies are carried out it is imperative that these women stop being MIS-diagnsoed!!! If they do in deed have PPT no amount of anti-depressents will make them well again! Instead a simple dose of thyroid hormone may be the miracle cure that may be in order!!! PS: Drug companies please note - when this word gets out you may need to radically downgrade your future sales growth charts - SORRY!!! Competing interests: None declared
Thyroid hormone levels. Relevance of autoimmune thyroiditis and postpartum depression 21 July 2005
Detlef Degner, Dr. Department of Psychiatry,University of Göttingen,Germany, Merle Haust Send response to journal: Re: Thyroid hormone levels. Relevance of autoimmune thyroiditis and postpartum depression	Screening tests for postpartum thyroid dysregulations are very important(1). Elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) and autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto`s disease)are significantly associated with depression and especially postpartum depression (2,3). Depressive disorders and related dysfunctions of the HPT axis are an interdependent and complex system. The clinical relevance of autoimmune thyroid dysfunction (thyroiditis) and postnatal depression is high and should be considered in the therapy. 1)Amino,N et al. Screening for postpartum thyroid dysfunction in the general population is benificial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 84:1813-6 (1999) 2)Degner,D et al. Affective disorders associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 13:532-3 (2001) 3)Pop VR et al. Are autoimmune thyroid dysfunction and depression related? J Clin Endocrinol Metab 83:3194-7 (1998) Competing interests: None declared