Study of Thyroid Function in Newly Diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patients and Effect of Antiretroviral Therapy on Thyroid Function

BACKGROUND: Thyroid dysfunction is a frequently overlooked yet clinically significant comorbidity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. The introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved life expectancy but has also been associated with metabolic and endocrine disturbances, including thyroid abnormalities. Thyroid dysfunctions such as subclinical hypothyroidism, sick euthyroid syndrome, and overt hypothyroidism are increasingly recognized in both treatment-naïve and ART-experienced patients. However, limited data are available on thyroid function at the time of HIV diagnosis and its evolution following ART initiation, especially in the Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: -tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation test to assess the changes and associations between thyroid parameters and ART, CD4 count, and demographic variables. RESULTS: = -0.28 and -0.34, respectively), and a positive correlation between CD4 and both free T3 and free T4. CONCLUSION: This study establishes that ART is associated with significant changes in thyroid hormone profiles, particularly an increase in TSH and a decline in free T3 levels, reflecting emerging thyroid dysfunction. The results underscore the importance of regular thyroid function monitoring in HIV patients, particularly after initiating ART, to facilitate early detection and management of evolving endocrine disturbances.