DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i03.001

Pages: 856-862

Thyroid function abnormalities are associated with a number of systemic conditions, including patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Opportunistic infections involving the thyroid gland, neoplasms such as lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma, and medications can alter the thyroid function in individuals with advanced HIV infection. If thyroid dysfunction is diagnosed in an HIV-infected patient, it should be treated in the usual manner. However, high index of suspicion and caution in the interpretation of thyroid function tests in patients with HIV disease are needed for optimal diagnosis and treatment. A cross-sectional study was conducted in OPD of Tertiary care centre. Serum thyroid hormone concentrations (FT4, FT3, and TSH) were measured. A total of 176 HIV-infected outpatients were included. 111 (63.7%) patients were men. Mean duration of HIV infection was 70 months and 35 patients had previous opportunistic infections (OI). Mean baseline CD4 cell count was 339 cells/cmm. Of the total study population, 146 patients received antiretroviral therapy (ART). Abnormal thyroid function test was detected in 31 patients (17.61%), including 17 (54.8%) patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, 2 (6.4%) with overt hypothyroidism,5 (16.1%) patients with low T4, and 7 (22.6%) patients with sick euthyroid syndrome. TSH values and CD4 count of the first visit had significant negative correlation in patients on HAART. 141 patients did not have pre existing opportunistic infections, out of them 122(86.5%) had normal thyroid parameters. Out of 88 patients on TLE, 6 (6.8%) had subclinical hypothyroidism. Out of 31 patients on ZLN, 6 (19.3%) had subclinical hypothyroidism. Baseline CD4 was significantly lower in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Duration of infection is significantly higher in patients with overt hypothyroidism. It is therefore suggested that screening and monitoring of thyroid functions in HIV-infected patients should be considered.