The diagnosis can be supported by laboratory
investigations. The serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine
(T3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone
(TSH) are generally normal. However, thyroid
function tests can be mildly increases (in about
25% of patients) because of the release of the
hormone from the inflamed gland [4]. About half of
the patients manifest clinical hypothyroidism during
the course of the thyroiditis, while the rest are
euthyroid. Hypothyroidism is commonly seen in
patients with P. carinni infection [17,18]. Hypothyroidism
can, however, be a presentation of
an extrapulmonary P. carinni infection in patients
with HIV infection [19].