Thyroid Function in Early and Late Alcohol Withdrawal: Relationship With Aggression, Family History, and Onset Age of Alcoholism

Abstract

Decreased free thyroid hormone levels may be a result of heavy alcohol consumption or a trait marker of alcoholism, especially in high-aggressive, early-onset and family history-negative patients.

How does Alcohol Use affect Thyroid Function? Illustrative Case and Literature Review

“…With several studies suggesting a complex and sometimes contradictory interrelation of alcohol and thyroid function, laboratory data needs to be interpreted with caution. As was the scenario with our case report, most often a trend towards normalization of thyroid tests with continued sobriety is to be expected [11]. The literature also supports that close observation and avoidance of unnecessary testing rather than premature diagnostic decisions or hurried therapeutic intervention may be the correct course of action in these complex patients.…”

“…However, despite the appearance of a ESS type picture, alcoholism related thyroid dysfunction does not appear to share the same mechanism, as reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) has been found to be normal or reduced in several studies [5][6][7]. Perhaps concomitant depression and other psychiatric disorders common to this population are responsible for these inconsistencies [10,11]. Further, confounding the picture is both the physiological/psychological stress of detoxification, and the possibility of malnutrition with subsequent iodine deficiency in chronic abusers [7].…”

Socio demographic wise risk assessment of thyroid function abnormalities in far western region of Nepal: A hospital based descriptive study

“…High number of total thyroid dysfunction was observed in 21-40 years of age groups followed by 41-60 years of age groups. The status of thyroid dysfunction in [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] years of age group was 16.7% overt hyperthyroidism, 10.3% subclinical hyperthyroidism, 7.3% subclinical hypothyroidism and 0.7% overt hypothyroidism. There was a relationship between age group and thyroid disorders (P=0.000 1).…”

“…This may be due to iodine deficiency and consumption of more alcohol by males in far western part of Nepal. Alcohol is a depressant, it can affect the thyroid by suppressing its functions, resulting in the thyroid gland not producing enough hormones [26] . Although all age group presented with thyroid disorder a high number of subjects was observed between age groups of 21-40 years of age in present study and results were supported by Baral et al study [3] .…”

Adverse physical effects of alcohol misuse

“…Thyroid hormones T 3 and T 4 may also be increased during the withdrawal period (Heinz et al, 1996) and may further contribute to this adrenergic effect. However, other studies regarding thyroid hormones have found the converse (Ozsoy et al, 2006).…”