Hypothyroxinemia in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Serum thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were studied in 38 patients confirmed to be infected with HIV-1 virus and the results compared with values observed in age matched healthy subjects. The mean serum total T4 in the majority of the patients, 103 +/- 32 nmol/L, was similar to values observed in the controls, 102 +/- 21 nmol/L, p > 0.05. However, 22.2 pc of the HIV-1 infected patients had total serum T4 values that were significantly lower than values in the controls, 36 +/- 12 nmol/L, p < 0.001. Since hypothyroxinemia has been associated with increased mortality in critical illness, we suggest that assessment of thyroid function may be helpful in the management of some patients with AIDS.