Subclinical Hypothyroidism in HIV-Infected Patients Is Not an Autoimmune Disease

• Published in: Hormone research Vol. 66; no. 1; pp. 21 - 26
• Main Authors: Beltran, S., Lescure, F.-X., El Esper, I., Schmit, J.-L., Desailloud, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Autoantibodies - blood; Autoimmune Diseases; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - immunology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Hypogonadism - complications; Hypogonadism - diagnosis; Hypothyroidism - complications; Hypothyroidism - diagnosis; Interferon-gamma - blood; Iodine - urine; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Prospective Studies; Thyroid Gland - diagnostic imaging; Thyroid Gland - immunology; Thyrotropin - blood; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; Thyroxine - blood; Triiodothyronine - blood; Triiodothyronine, Reverse - blood; Ultrasonography; Antiretrovirals; Dialysis equilibrium; Hypothyroidism; HIV infection; Highly active anti-retroviral therapy
• ISSN: 1663-2818; 0301-0163; 1663-2826
• DOI: 10.1159/000093228

Aims and Methods: A study of 350 HIV+ patients in our region showed that 16% suffered from hypothyroidism. Twenty-two HIV+ hypothyroid patients (10 with subclinical hypothyroidism, 12 with low FT4 levels (LT4) (confirmed by a dialysis equilibrium assay) and 22 HIV+ euthyroid controls receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy were included in an additional study. Results: No goiter or anti-thyroid antibodies were detected. Use of stavudine was more frequent in the LT4 subgroup (p < 0.01) and subclinical hypothyroidism group (p = 0.04). Use of didanosine (OR, 12.5, p < 0.01) and ritonavir (OR, 33.0, p < 0.01) was more frequent in the LT4 subgroup, with a greater didanosine cumulative dose (616.7 mg [180.0, 1,260.0] vs. 263.7 [63.0, 948.0], p = 0.01). Reverse T3, binding protein levels, the TSH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, urinary iodine, plasma selenium and thiocyanate levels did not differ. IFNγ levels were lower in the subclinical hypothyroidism group (pg/ml) (9.1 [0.0, 22.7] vs. 19.5 [0.0, 40.9], p = 0.03). Conclusion: None of the investigated mechanisms are able to explain the occurrence of hypothyroidism in HIV patients receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy except the anti-retroviral treatment. In light of the absence of autoimmunity, the normal adenohypophysis and thyroid responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, central hypothyroidism is suspected and could explain LT4 and high TSH levels. Underlying mechanisms need further exploration.