Abstract
This chapter focuses on the hormone responses on alcoholism. Endocrine dysfunction is a consequence of alcohol abuse and impairment may be observed with excessive chronic and acute alcohol consumption and withdrawal. A reduction in total thyroxine and total and free triiodothyronine concentrations is found during early abstinence. About one-third of alcoholics displayed a blunted thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH) response in the thyrotrophin releasing hormone test (TRH-test). Alcohol has an effect on thyroid hormone metabolism, which may interact directly with mood states among abstinent alcoholics. Alcohol consumption is associated with primary hypogonadism in man, serum estradiol level is enhanced during peri-ovulatory phase while progesterone level is decreased during luteal phase in premenopausal women, estradiol level is increased in post-menopausal women. Alcohol abuse induces hyperprolactinemia and is a risk factor for prolactinoma. Severe alcohol intoxication is associated with a reduction in vasopressin secretion in alcohol-habituated subjects despite hyperosmolarity although vasopressin secretion is increased in alcohol-naive subjects, aldosterone activity is increased. Adrenal corticotrophin hormone is secreted in excess as a consequence of both acute and chronic alcohol abuse. Dexamethasone nonsuppression of cortisol secretion (DST) can be observed during intoxication and withdrawal, normalization of DST occurs in most patients after sobriety.
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