Comparison of Anti Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (TPOAb) levels in people with depression and healthy people: case control-study

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder with a high prevalence in military personnel. Recently, the relationship between depression and some hormones has been reported. In current study, the serum levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was assessed in people with depression and compared with healthy control adults. In this case–control study, 45 people with depression who were diagnosed using the Beck depression test and DSM5, were referred to a military hospital. A total of 45 healthy participants who were matched according gender and age with the depression group, were also enrolled. Levels of anti-TPO, T4, T3 and TSH were measured and compared in the two groups. The mean ±standard deviation age was 36.55±11.42 years in the case group and 35.92±11.58 years in the matched control group. There was no significant difference in the mean serum level of antithyroid peroxidase, T3, T4 and TSH between the groups (P≥0.05). There was no linear correlation between antithyroid peroxidase levels and depression severity.  As there was not difference regarding anti-TPO antibody levels between the depressed and healthy groups, it appears that anti-TPO antibody may not have a role in depression.