A study of thyroid hormones in alcoholic liver diseases

Abstract

Background and objectives Alcohol is a common cause of cirrhosis all over the world including India and alcoholic liver disease is among the
ten most common causes of death worldwide. Alcoholic liver diseases affect most of the organs in our body. The study of thyroid hormone
function tests will throw a light on the functional aspects of liver diseases and gives some better understanding of the alcoholic liver disease and
their interrelationship with thyroid function and thus helps in the management of alcoholic liver diseasesdiseases. Methods: 30 male cases diagnosed
with alcoholic liver disease were compared with 30 male normal subjects as controls. The diagnosis was based on interview and
questionnaire, clinical signs of liver disease and supporting laboratory test [ total protein, serum albumin, A:G, AST, ALT, ALP and
GGT] and ultrasound and their T3, T4, TSH were evaluated. Results : In alcoholic liver disease patients, there was reduction in T3 and T4.
Though the TSH was high, the patients were clinically euthyroid. The assay of thyroid hormone levels helps in the management of the patients
with alcoholic liver diseases. Conclusion : One of the more severe consequences of alcohol abuse is alcoholic liver disease characterized by
tissue injury through hepatocytic dysfunction. Alcoholic liver disease is manifested by elevated transaminases, decrease in protein synthesis,
increased bilirubin etc. In the present study, the majority of patients with ALD were presented with altered serum thyroid hormone
levels. Mean of T3 decreases in cases compared to control due to the impaired liver conversion of T4 to T3 in the peripheral tissuestissues. Mean of T4 decreases in cases compared to control due to the decrease in thyroid hormone binding proteins. Mean of TSH increases in cases
compared to control. Patients are clinically euthyroid. The altered levels of thyroid profile in the patients of alcoholic liver disease will be
helpful in their management