Assessment of Thyroid Function in Chronic Alcoholics

. The clinical manifestations in chronic alcoholics may sometimes mimic those of hyperthyroidism. However, diagnostic aids are somewhat contradictory in many cases. Ten chronic alcoholics with symptoms from the sympathoadrenal system were investigated. A significant increase (p > 0.01) of T3 at 120 min after TRH stimulation was found despite a blunted TSH response (increment <3 mU/l) in some cases. This increase in T3 indicates a preserved thyroid function in chronic alcoholics despite generally low basal T3 levels. It is concluded that T3 determinations at 120 min in connection with TRH test may be an essential parameter in evaluating euthyroid function in chronic alcoholics.