TSH and LH Responses in Subtypes of Depression*

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Abstract
TRH [thyrotropin-releasing hormone] and LHRH [luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone] were simultaneously infused into a group of 5 [human] male patients with primary unipolar depression and 4 male secondary depressed patients. Blood samples were measured for LH and TSH just before and 2 h following infusion. Healthy male subjects (6) matched for age were similarly studied. Results showed that basal levels of TSH and LH were not different in any of the 3 groups of subjects, TSH responses in the 3 groups were not significantly different, and the LH response was significantly greater in the secondary depressed patients than the primary unipolar depression and normal controls at all time intervals after infusion. Results add to the evidence for an abnormality in the hypothalamo-pituitary regulation of pituitary hormones and LH in particular. Such an abnormality has not yet been reported. Results suggest a biological difference in the 2 subtypes of depression studied. Neuroendocrine studies would be a useful diagnostic procedure in the differentiation of these subtypes of depression.

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