Purpose:

Antiepileptic drugs may change the metabolism and the blood levels of hormones. Several reports have shown that antiepileptic drugs may alter thyroid hormone levels. in this study we have planned to investigate the effect of VPA and CBZ monotherapy on thyroid gland funetion.

Material and method:

in this study we have investigated the effect of VPA or CBZ monotherapy on thyroid gland funetion in 61 epilepsy patients who were randomly seleeted from a group routinely folllowed in outpatient elinic and ali the patients have been using the drug at least for 6 months. Patients and control group age limits were between 15-50. Ali patients had primary generalised or cyrptogenic partial type seizures. Neurologic and systemic examinations were ali normal, as well as neuroimaging studies.

Results:

in our study, in CBZ monotherapy group we have found the fT4 and TT3 hormone levels significantly low in comparison to control group and; in VPA monotherapy group the fT3 and TT4 hormone levels were significantly high.

Conclusion:

Due to the possible relationship between thyroid disfunction and CBZ and/or VPA monotherapy, we advise to eheck routinely the thyroid hormone levels and thyroid gland funetions in epilepsy patients.

Keywords: Carbamazepine, valproic acid, thyroid hormones, epilepsy