Disorders of eating behavior: Correlation between hypothalamo-pituitary–thyroid function and psychopathological aspects

SummaryAltered pituitary–thyroid (PT) function (TSH, FT4, FT3 plasma levels) was correlated with symptoms of Eating Disorders (ED) in 137 patients (65 ANR, 12 ANP, 19 ANBP, 26 BN, 8 EDNOS-AN, 7 EDNOS-BN) and 30 controls. PT hormone concentrations were assessed by immunofluorimetry and psychopathology by EDI-2 and HSCL-90. Values of TSH were decreased in ANP, BN, EDNOS-AN, of T4 in ANR, ANP, AN-BP, of T3 in ANR, ANP, ANBP, BN, EDNOS-AN, EDNOS-BN. TSH values correlated negatively with ineffectiveness in BN and EDNOS-AN, and with depression in EDNOS-AN. FT4 values correlated positively with perfectionism in ANR, ANP and ANBP, with interoceptive awareness in EDNOS-AN, and negatively with depression in EDNOS-AN and with body dissatisfaction in EDNOS-BN. FT3 values correlated positively with perfectionism in ANBP and BN, with ineffectiveness in ANR and ANP, with depression in EDNOS-AN, with hostility in ANR and EDNOS-BN, with interpersonal sensibility in ANP, with somatization in EDNOS-BN, and negatively with interpersonal distrust in EDNOS-AN. Prospective studies are needed to confirm whether or not altered PT parameters correlate with ED symptoms during the course of the diseases.