Thyroid hormones in children with epilepsy during long-term administration of carbamazepine and valproate

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study evaluates the effects of long-term carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproate acid (VPA) therapy on thyroid function in epileptic children.DesignA prospective study performed in 32 newly diagnosed pediatric patients, subdivided into two groups: 18 patients treated with CBZ and 14 patients treated with VPA. Thirty-two sex- and age- matched subjects served as controls.MethodsSerum TSH, thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab), and thyroglobulin antibodies (TG-Ab) were evaluated at baseline and at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month in all patients and in the control group. A TRH stimulation test was performed in all epileptic patients at baseline and at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month evaluations while in controls only baseline assessment was carried out.ResultsAt baseline evaluation, thyroid function was normal in all epileptic children. After 3 months, CBZ-treated patients showed serum T4 and fT4 levels significantly lower than baseline evaluation and control subjects. Serum T4 and fT4 concentrations were unaffected by VPA monotherapy. Serum T3 and fT3 were normal in both CBZ-treated and VPA-treated patients. TRH test was normal in all patients. At 6th and 12th month evaluations, the same alterations were present in CBZ-treated patients while thyroid function remained normal in VPA-treated patients. TRH test responses were normal in all epileptic patients. TPO-Ab and TG-Ab were always absent in all patients.ConclusionsOur data suggest that VPA monotherapy does not alter thyroid hormones. On the contrary, alterations of thyroid hormones occur in CBZ-treated children. However, the patients are euthyroid and thyroid hormone alterations are not associated with clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism.