Thyroid function in alcohol use disorder: a case-control and longitudinal study of gender, Alcohol-Induced Psychotic Disorders, and detoxification effects.

METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study we enrolled 283 patients with AUD (261 men, 22 women) admitted between 2021 and 2024, of whom 80 had AIPD. Baseline levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured at the time of admission. A second measurement was performed three to four weeks after detoxification. Baseline values were compared with those of 300 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Longitudinal changes within the AUD cohort and differences between AIPD and non-AIPD subgroups were analyzed by paired t-tests and chi-square tests as appropriate.

RESULTS: Mean serum levels of FT4, FT3, T4 and T3 were significantly lower in AUD patients than in healthy controls, while TSH had no significant change. In the same comparison, the proportion of individuals with abnormal thyroid parameters was higher in the AUD group than in controls. Among AUD patients, women, showed a higher proportion of elevated TSH, and reduced FT4, FT3 and T3 than men with AUD. The level of thyroid hormone in patients with AIPD was higher than that in patients with Non-AIPD, and after detoxification treatment, thyroid function may not necessarily return to normal, but showed a trend of thyroid hormone decreased and TSH increased, which was more pronounced in AIPD patients.

CONCLUSION: AUD can lead to thyroid dysfunction. Patients with AUD should closely monitor their thyroid hormone levels to prevent the worsening of psychiatric and neurological symptoms.