PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AND ITS THERAPY DO NOT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THYROID-FUNCTION TESTS

Basal thyrotropin, total thyroxine, total tri-iodothyronine and free t ri-iodothyronine were measured in 30 HIV-negative patients with focal pulmonary tuberculosis upon starting and after one and two weeks of is oniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide therapy. Rapid and statistically significant elevations in free tri-iodothyronine and total tri-iodothy ronine were noted after the first and second week of treatment respect ively. For most patients, however, hormone levels remained within norm al limits throughout the study. Overall, the effects of pulmonary tube rculosis and of its therapy on the thyroid function parameters examine d, in otherwise healthy individuals, appear to be minimal.