Hypothyroidism due to destruction of the thyroid by Kaposi's sarcoma.
A case of hypothyroidism that manifested as depression and deteriorating functional status and that ultimately resulted in the death of a 41-year-old patient with AIDS is described. Postmortem examination revealed destruction of the thyroid gland by Kaposi's sarcoma. Analysis of stored serum samples revealed that the patient had become profoundly hypothyroid during his terminal illness. Practitioners are reminded of the need to exclude metabolic causes when treating encephalopathy in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
Mollison
L C
LC
Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
Mijch
A
A
McBride
G
G
Dwyer
B
B
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology