Hypothalamic-Pitutitary-Adrenal and -Thyroid Axis Dysfunctions and Decrements in the Availability of L-Tryptophan as Biological Markers of Suicidal Ideation in Major Depressed Females

In order to investigate the biological correlates of suicidal ideation, the authors measured basal thyrotropin-secreting hormone, free thyroxine, pre- & postdexamethasone cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, circulation concentrations of total L-tryptophan (L-TRP), & the ratio between L-TRP & competing amino acids in 17 suicidal & 17 non-suicidal depressed females. No significant differences were found in any of the biological data between suicidal & non-suicidal patients. (37 ref)