effect of chemical weapons on serum concentrations of various hormones

ABSTRACT

Serum concentrations of FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, cortisol, ACTH, TSH, T4, T3 and resin T3 uptake were measured in 53 men injured by chemical warfare containing nerve agents, 31 subjects exposed to chemical weapons containing sulfur mustard, and in 34 healthy men. In those exposed to nerve agents, all tests were normal four days after exposure. In men who had been injured by mustard compounds three to eight days before testing, serum FSH, LH, TSH and prolactin were normal, but significant decreases from normal values were noted in free T4, index [7.2 +/- 1.5 vs 8.9 +/- 1.5], free T3 index [116 +/- 25 vs 130 +/- 11], and testosterone [398 +/- 135 vs 676 +/- 273 ng/dl]. Mean ACTH concentration was significantly increased [60 +/- 33 vs normal 35 +/- 19 pg/ml]. We conclude that following exposure to nerve agents, there is no alteration in serum concentrations of the various hormones tested, but injury by sulfur mustard may induce falls in serum thyroid hormones and testosterone, and an increase in ACTH concentrations