Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) invades the endocrine glands, can change the function by opportunistic infections with that virus and create problems. Abnormal thyroid functions in these cases may be caused by the stress of advanced disease due to hypothalamic pituitary deficit (HPD is related to the gradual decline of the immunity and poor nutrition). Thyroid dysfunction in HIV-positive people may cause gland's destruction due to presence of opportunistic pathogens like Pneumocystis jiroveci or Cytomegalovirus or Kaposi's sarcoma (cause tumorigenic diseases). These opportunistic infections may be associated with sick euthyroid syndrome or may manifest low reserve thyroxin. It also causes lowering or increasing of TSH level in the blood. The present study is based on effect of HIV on endocrinal glands like thyroid gland in case of immunocompromised patients residing in four districts of West Bengal (viz Burdwan, Murshidabad, Birbhum and Hooghly).
HIV-Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HPD-Hypothalamic Pituitary Deficit, TSH-Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
