1Department of Pharmacology, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Ghaziabad, U.P., India
2Department of Biochemistry, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Ghaziabad, U.P., India
3Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Ghaziabad, U.P., India
Sodium valproate (VPA) is widely used for the treatment of partial and generalized epilepsy in childhood and adolescence. The results of the studies that have evaluated the effect of VPA monotherapy on thyroid function in epileptic patients are controversial.
Studies on the effects of sodium valproate on thyroid hormone balance in patients with epilepsy are conflicting. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the changes in thyroid profile in epilepsy treated with valproate monotherapy. Serum level of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined in 40 epileptic patients of valproate monotherapy by EIA method. Epileptic patients had slightly decreased triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4), whereas TSH level was significantly increased on valproate monotherapy. The results showed that valproate may induce subclinical hypothyroidism. This suggests a need for careful monitoring of serum TSH level in epileptic patients receiving valproate drug.
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), Epilepsy, Thyroid hormones, Endocrinological system, Subclinical hypothyroidism, Valproate (VPA)
