Correlation between thyroxine levels of serum and depression in patients with chronic alcohol dependence

Objective To explore the alteration of the peripheral thyroid hormone level in patients with chronic alcohol dependence and its relationship with depressive emotion. Methods Data were collected from 21 male patients with chronic alcohol dependence(case group) and 21 male health control(control group). Hamilton Depression Scale-24 (HAMD-24) and Alcohol Dependence Screening Scale (MAST) were used. The level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), triiodothyronine (T3) and four iodine thyroxine (T4) of case group and control group were separately determined. The level of above-mentioned hormones and scale score of case group were evaluated in the first and sixth week of the period of temperance. Data of control group were collected once at baseline. Results The level of FT3 in case group was decreased significantly in the first week of the period of temperance compared with the control group ((4.34±1.01)pmol/L, (5.85±0.78)pmol/L, t=5.56, P 0.05)in the sixth week of the period of temperance. Conclusion The level of serum thyroid is disordered in patients with chronic alcohol dependence. The disorder will recover in the period of temperance and is associated with depressive emotion. Key words: Peripheral free thyroid; Alcoholism; Depression; Hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis