Serum Concentrations of Various Hormones Following Exposure to Chemical Weapons Containing Sulfur Mustard

Serum concentration of FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin,ACTH,cortisol, TSH, T ,T and resin Tuptake were measured in 146 men who were exposed to vesicants used by Iraqi regime, few days to 4 weeks prior to test'ing, Clinical and laboratory findings had confirmed that mustards had been used. Mean serum concentrations of FSH, LH, TSH and prolactin were not signi­ficantly different from normals. Free Tindex (FTI) was ·subnormal in 6 men, 4 and its mean was somewhat decreased (7 .4 ± 0.8 vs; normal 8. 7 ± 1. 2;P""- 0.05). Free Tindex (FTI) was subnormal in 14 men, and its mean was significantlylower than normal (92±20 vs 130±11; P < 0.001). Serum testosterone concentration was subnormal in 42 men, and its mean was significantly lower than normal (361 ± 254 vs 676 ± 273 ng/dl; P..( 0.001). Serum cortisol, was subnormal in 11 and above normal in 8 men, its mean was not significantly different from normal values. There was an increase in serum ACTH concentration. We conclude that exposure to chemical weapons containing mustards may cause sever alterations in serum concentrations of various hormones.