Impact of alcohol use on thyroid function. - Thyroid UK

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Impact of alcohol use on thyroid function.

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24 Replies

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/239...

Abstract

Alcohol is one of the commonest illicit psychoactive substances consumed globally and is the world's third largest risk factor for disease and disability. It has been reported to have multiple effects on the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis and the functioning of the thyroid gland. It has been reported to cause direct suppression of thyroid function by cellular toxicity, and indirect suppression by blunting thyrotropin-releasing hormone response. It causes a decrease of peripheral thyroid hormones during chronic use and in withdrawal. Alcohol use may also confer some protective effect against thyroid nodularity, goiter, and thyroid cancer. This article presents a review of the clinically relevant effects of alcohol on the functioning of the thyroid gland and also discusses the effect of medication used in treatment of alcohol dependence on thyroid function.

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24 Replies
Aurealis profile image
Aurealis

This looks interesting, will read later when I have more time - should I have a glass of wine first?

LinDonaldson profile image
LinDonaldson in reply to Aurealis

All things in moderation I say, unless of course it is arsenic!!

Glynisrose profile image
Glynisrose

Ahh! So that's why I was getting a hangover that lasted for days!! Glad I gave up drinking alcohol now!!

HarryE profile image
HarryE

Go'way clutter ;-)

I can't give up everything! :'(

Alcohol makes me feel terrible. I only drink a half of real ale every few months but I sweat profusely, and sometimes I get the runs within 20 mins of drinking. Maybe my body is trying to tell me something! :-)

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle

Is it just me or is anyone else confused by the use of the word 'illicit' in this context?

LinDonaldson profile image
LinDonaldson in reply to puncturedbicycle

Yep I am a bit confused! Surely alcohol is legal (unless drinking home made spirits). Perhaps should have been put in inverted commas. Just cause the authors might think it is a bad thing to do they cannot rewrite the law.

Glad I do not drink any more. It took me going to a Muslim country to realise how weird drinking and especially being drunk was. Still he/she who judges first usually trips over their wig!

HarryE profile image
HarryE in reply to LinDonaldson

We went to Jordan, which is mainly Muslim, and it is hilarious to watch everyone scurrying around with brown paper bags, smuggling booze around! It seems to be frowned on only if you're obvious about it! And of course they've latched onto the idea of making money selling it to tourists :-D

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to puncturedbicycle

Yes, I was initially, but perhaps it is illicit to the authors due to cultural or religious reasons.

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply to Clutter

In the context of a scientific paper though, in a country where drink is legal, it's an odd word to use. Perplexing.

ThyroidHell profile image
ThyroidHell

Oh well glad I am T Total then ;o)

I used to enjoy rather a lot of red wine. Still acquired a goitre.

Since when was alcohol 'illicit'? Have they dredged up some study from Prohibition?

All the 'It has been reported' makes the pronouncements sound a bit wobbly too ... :o)

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply to

Yes, it is all strangely worded isn't it? It is an Indian study but alcohol isn't illicit there either. Maybe it is an esl or translation issue - ?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to

I used to consume a lot of alcohol and cigarettes but acquired ThyCa in 2011 so neither gave me protection unless the quitting triggered it.

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply to Clutter

Those were the days. :-)

I used to love drinking and smoking. Drink without a cigarette just makes me sleepy.

It is if you're Muslim. Perhaps that's it.

LinDonaldson profile image
LinDonaldson

Actually maybe the authors were Muslim and then drinking would be illicit according to the Quran.

eli289 profile image
eli289

Ok, so after reading the blurb. Everything is bad for you apparently! I'm was more concerned by the effect of overdosing on chillies in my tea (thought I was going to over heat) than the brandy & lemonade I had tonight. I can't give up alcohol, a glass of wine is a pleasure. Is it really bad to drink with low thyroid? I must admit, I feel pretty lousy recently if I have more than a glass. Xx

Clutter profile image
Clutter

OMG Chilli tea! Haven't found a link saying that's bad for thyroid (or anything) :)

LinDonaldson profile image
LinDonaldson

Hi there,

I guess wherever we go there will be hypocrisy. Anyway where I went to do field research ganga was ok and possibly some palm wine on Sunday! It was the pub culture that I realised was a bit crazy when I came home. The amount of alc drunk by some young people in this country is outrageous. A friend of mine makes me laugh. He is a performance artist and he performs whilst walking through the streets of London drinking bottles of beer. He argues it should not be frowned on. Better to be honest he says. Then one day we were sitting in the park and these drunks waving bottles came over to us. He very quickly got up and walked away. Now he argues clearly for responsible drinking in the street. What is offensive and what is "responsible"?

Kind regards

Lin!

in reply to LinDonaldson

Offensive is just getting caught a bit trappy, responsible is coming home after a hard crazy day & playing loud music to forget..... and apparently it's only Monday!

How you doing Lin? - nice to see you about! you always remind me of a cartoon character but the actual one eludes me (not unusual as I forget words like fridge, cup, children, etc.) J x

in reply to

Spareribs, I've spent my adult life valuing and enjoying language, and developing a wide vocabulary. Then I realised last night when watching a wonderful programme about a theatre group of actors with Downs Syndrome, that the lead actor playing Hamlet, a wonderful, caring, astute young man, had a wider vocabularly than I now have access to in this befuddled brain of mine.

LinDonaldson profile image
LinDonaldson in reply to

Hi Spareribs,

Feeling much better all round really. The cartoon character is American. Apparently her name is Linda which is the same as mine. Please though do call me Lin.

The loud music like. I am not opposed to a lovely drinkie but unfortunately I can't.

Watch out for my post which contains some very good news.

Regards

Lin

in reply to LinDonaldson

Lin, Ooh I love good news! (Linda Carter - Wonder Woman?)

also I find children being annoyed by my loud music quite amusing :D

Hypteq - Yes I have to write up meetings and right click 'look up' has become my friend to find the right word. Although I am slightly better lately & give up less quickly. J :D

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