The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in agoraphobia, panic disorder, major depression and normal controls.

BACKGROUND

Much interest has been drawn to the investigation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT)-axis in patients suffering from depression or panic disorder. However, there is no data concerning agoraphobia.

METHODS

Patients with panic disorder, agoraphobia, major depression were compared to normal controls (total n=88) in respect to HPT axis, obtaining basal TSH and administering a TRH test.

RESULTS

Normal controls and agoraphobics showed significantly higher Delta(max) TSH than depressives and panic patients. There were no differences between agoraphobics and normal controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Agoraphobia, unlike depression or panic disorder, seems to be less biologically determined in respect to the HPT-axis.