The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including with new information specifically addressed to individuals in the European Economic Area. As described in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences.

Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.

×
No Access

Potentiation of antidepressant effects by L-triiodothyronine in tricyclic nonresponders

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.139.1.34

Six women and 6 men who were treated in double-blind fashion major depressive illness did not respond to imipramine or amitriptyline, 150- 300 mg/day, during periods of 26-112 days. After the addition of 25 micrograms/day (10 patients) or 50 micrograms/day (2 patients) of L- triiodothyronine (T3), 9 patients showed statistically significant improvement in depression scores; in 8 patients the response was marked. Improvement generally began within 1-3 days and was noted in all aspects of the depressive syndrome; side effects were minimal. T3 did not change plasma levels of imipramine or desipramine or their ratio but did suppress serum thyroxine.

Access content

To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.