Abnormal thyroid function in older men with or at risk for HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of and factors associated with abnormal thyroid function in older men with or at risk for HIV infection.


METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis of 636 men > or =49 years old was carried out using data obtained from interviews, from measurements of body mass index (BMI), HIV-1 serology and viral load, CD4 cell count, hepatitis C virus (HCV) assays, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroid hormone levels.


RESULTS
Participants were 54% black, 57% overweight/obese, 57% HIV seropositive, and 72% HCV seropositive; 38% reported recent cocaine or heroin use. Decreased TSH was found in 56 men (8.8%) and raised TSH in 23 men (3.6%). Only three men had abnormal free thyroxine levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal TSH levels were noted in 12.4% of older men with or at risk for HIV infection, but nearly all reflected subclinical hyperthyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism.
Department of Special Services, North General Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
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Wiener
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Klein
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D015497:HIV-1; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D019562:Viral Load
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D013972:Thyrotropin