The Concentration of Thyroid Hormones, Cortisol and ACTH Exposed to Chemical Weapons

  ABSTRACT In order to evaluate time course of changes in serum concentration of thyroid hormones, cortisol and ACTH in patients exposed to chemical weapons containing sulfur mustard, we measured serum concentrations of hormones on the first, third and fifth week following injury in 13 soldiers and compared them to the results obtained from 34 control men. Free T4 and T3 indices were decreased and rT3, cortisol and ACTH were increased in the first wek following exposure. There was subnormal TSH response to TRH in 2 of 3 men tested. Except for an increase in FT 41 and decrease in TSH by the third week, and steady decline in serum cortisol. Serum concentrations of hormone were unchanged until the fifth week after injury. The decline in serum cortisol occurred despite a constant increase in serum ACTH. By the fifth week only 1 of 13 men bad serum cortisol levels > 10µg/dl. We conclude that exposure to chemical warfare containing sulfur mustard results in alterations in serum concentrations of thyroid and adrenal hormones and ACTH, resembling changes seem in bum trauma. Some evidence of direct effects of mustard on endocrine glands exist.