A Study on the Thyroid Function in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa

Objective To study the thyroid function in patients with anorexia nervosa, and discuss the corresponding treatment. Methods Levels of T3, T4 and TSH of 35 patients with anorexia nervosa and 34 normal controls were detected with microparticle enzyme immunoassay and fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Results The levels of both T3 and T4 in patients with anorexia nervosa were significantly lower than those in normal controls (P0.01); but there was no difference in the levels of TSH between patients and controls(P0.05). Among the 35 patients with anorexia nervosa, 19 (54.3%) had lower T3, normal T4 and TSH, and 13 (37.1%) had normal thyroid function. There was no correlation between levels of T3,T4 and weight, BMI, total scores of HAMD, HAMA and Y-BOCS, respectively(P0.05). Conclusion There is abnormal thyroid function in patients with anorexia nervosa. Most of the patients with anorexia nervosa are individuals with low T3 syndrome, rather than hypothyroid. Since this syndrome is reversible, thyroxine is not necessary during the treatment.