Prevalence of endocrine dysfunction in HIV-infected men.
OBJECTIVE
Endocrine dysfunction is a common problem in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV). We therefore evaluated the endocrine function in 31 male homosexual HIV-1-infected men: mean age 37 +/- 7.2 years (range 24-52).


METHODS
Blood was obtained for baseline T3, T4, TSH, LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone, ACTH and cortisol values. Endocrine function tests were performed as TRH, CRH, ACTH, LH-RH and HCG tests.


RESULTS
Thyroid function: There was a temporarily increased TSH in 3 of 17 patients but normal levels for T3, T4 and fT4 (without thyroid antibodies). One patient showed signs of latent hyperthyroidism (no response in TRH test). Adrenocortical function: Two patients had adrenal insufficiency. They showed a normal baseline cortisol level, an elevated ACTH level and no increase in cortisol levels after stimulation with CRH. All other patients revealed normal responses on the CRH/ACTH tests. Gonadal function: 9 patients had elevated FSH levels (tubular insufficiency), 4 patients additionally had increased LH levels (hypergonadotropic hypogonadism). 5 patients showed signs of tertiary hypogonadism (low LH and testosterone, increase of LH after stimulation with LH-RH).


CONCLUSIONS
In disorders of thyroid and adrenocortical function of primary or tertiary origin, a substitution of hormones should be taken into consideration.
Brockmeyer
N H
NH
Department of Dermatology, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany. N.H.Brockmeyer@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Kreuter
A
A
Bader
A
A
Seemann
U
U
Reimann
G
G
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000503:physiopathology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology