Progression of autoimmune thyroiditis in an HIV-infected woman on HAART

Changes in immunoregulation, among other factors, may initiate or exacerbate autoimmune thyroiditis. Strikingly high titers of antithyroid peroxidase antibodies have been found in HIV-infected patients, and, according to some studies, these increase further as HIV disease progresses. The pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis is not totally understood, but activated CD4+ cells predominate in the infiltrate and are believed to be central to the process. Some investigators have postulated that endocrinologic autoimmunity might result from incomplete or unbalanced immune restoration with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The case presented here suggests progression from euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis to hypothyroidism after initiation of HAART.