Effects of sertraline treatment on plasma cortisol, prolactin and thyroid hormones in female depressed patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of 4 and 24 weeks of sertraline treatment (average dose 42.5 mg/day) on plasma hormone levels in 15 female patients with major depression. Baseline levels of triiodothyronine (T(3)) were lower, while cortisol, prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroxin (T(4)) levels did not differ from the values in 16 female controls. There was a positive correlation between the scores on the Montgomery-Asperg Depression Rating Scale and baseline cortisol levels. Treatment with sertraline for 4 weeks increased plasma cortisol levels, while 24 weeks of sertraline treatment increased plasma T(3) levels in depressed patients. Neither 4, nor 24 weeks of sertraline treatment affected PRL, T(4) and TSH levels in depressed patients. The data show different and time-dependent effects of sertraline treatment on plasma cortisol, PRL and thyroid hormones in female depressed patients. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel