Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is common and refractory to treatment. Thyroid medications, predominately levothyroxine (L-T4) for bipolar depression, have been tested but mostly in open-label studies. These researchers conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of L-T4 and triiodothyronine (T3) in euthyroid patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder (≥4 episodes/year) who were receiving therapeutic levels of lithium.
The original study was powered for 60 patients, but only 32 patients were studied (mean age, 36; 22 women). Doses, adjusted weekly, were increased until treatment goals were met (L-T4: free T4 index, 4.5–7.5 units or thyroid-stimulating hormone, <0.1 units; T3: T3-resin uptake, 0.65–1.36 units). At baseline…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)