T4 during infection

Metabolism of thyroid hormones is accelerated during acute infection in man and in experimental animals. The mechanisms for this is uncertain, but activated leukocytes of the infected host have been implicated as potentially important sites of hormone degradation.

Apparently T4 can go up in infection similar to an acute pahse reactant - but I couldn't find anything on the net really backing this up!!


References:

• DeRubertis, Accelerated host metabolism of L-thyroxine during acute infection, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 40, 589-600