PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY OF MOOD DISORDERS - THE HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-THRYOID AXIS

Abnormal thyroid functioning can affect mood and influence the course of unipolar and bipolar disorder. Even mild thyroid dysfunction has be en associated with changes in mood and cognitive functioning. Thyroid hormone supplementation may have role in the treatment of certain mood disorders, particularly rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Women are mor e vulnerable to thyroid dysfunction than men and also respond better t o thyroid augmentation. This article reviews the relationship between thyroid function and mood, and the use of thyroid hormones in the trea tment of mood disorders. The impact of gender on these issues is also discussed.