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Alcohol misuse is the single biggest risk factor for death, ill health and disability among 15-49-year-olds in the UK. It is also linked to more than 60 health conditions, including various types of cancer, liver disease and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Alcohol affects almost every organ and system in the human body, and evidence suggests that this includes the thyroid gland. This gland produces hormones that are vital for numerous bodily functions, including metabolic rate, growth, brain development, bone maintenance and heart, muscle and digestive function. This article explores the possibility of there being a link between hypothyroidism and alcoholism.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is also known as underactive thyroid, and it occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of these essential hormones – mostly triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). This can affect the metabolism and other functions, which can lead to a wide range of potential symptoms.
These can vary from person to person, but some of the more common symptoms can include:
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Weight gain
- Slowed thoughts and memory issues
- Lack of concentration
- Depression
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Muscle aches
- Lowered libido
- Lowered heart rate
- Raised cholesterol
- Dry or thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Heavier and longer periods for women
Although hypothyroidism is more common in women, it can affect both women and men. Children can also be affected by an underactive thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism can be successfully treated – generally through taking daily hormone replacement tablets called levothyroxine, to raise your thyroxine (T4) levels. This is not a cure, however, and people with an underactive thyroid will generally need treatment for the rest of their life.
Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to some severe complications, including heart disease, problems with pregnancies, a rare but life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma and a swelling at the front of the neck known as a goitre.
Is There a Relationship Between Hypothyroidism and Alcoholism?
Can alcohol cause thyroid problems? Some of the causes of an underactive thyroid can be unclear but may include a condition known as autoimmune thyroid disease, certain medications such as lithium and treatments for hyperthyroidism – which is where the thyroid gland is over-active. It is also believed that there may be a link between hypothyroidism and alcohol.
A review of the scientific literature available on the link between alcohol and thyroid problems found there was some conflicting evidence but concluded: “The effect of alcohol on the HPT axis is significant and alcohol consumption affects almost all aspects of the functioning of the thyroid gland.”
The hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is a hormone regulatory system that directly affects the thyroid gland.
Regarding underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism, the same study noted that alcohol has “been reported to cause direct suppression of thyroid function by cellular toxicity and indirect suppression by blunting thyrotropin-releasing hormone response”. It added that it “causes a decrease of peripheral thyroid hormones during chronic use and in withdrawal”.
The liver is the main organ responsible for detoxification – breaking down the harmful elements from alcohol and other substances taken into the body. When processing alcohol, other functions of the liver, including activating enzymes, taking nutrients from food to make energy and excreting fluid and hormones, will be adversely affected.
It’s believed that one of the mechanisms that can link alcohol and hypothyroidism is that when you are consuming a lot of alcohol, the liver is overworked, and this can slow down the breakdown of T4. This, in turn, will lead to less T3 in the body, and the result can be hypothyroidism.
Can Alcohol Cause Thyroid Problems?
While hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid is one of the most common and prominent problems associated with the thyroid gland, it is not the only one. Hyperthyroidism, for example, is essentially the opposite of hypothyroidism and refers to an overactive thyroid gland.
An overactive thyroid gland can lead to symptoms such as:
- Nervousness, anxiety and irritability
- Mood swings
- Difficulty sleeping
- Persistent tiredness and weakness
- Sensitivity to heat
- Swelling in the neck (goitre)
- An irregular or fast heart rate (palpitations)
- Twitching or trembling
- Weight loss
As highlighted in this article, excessive drinking is believed to be linked to hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. According to Thyroid UK, this condition affects around 2 in every 100 people in the UK, with a range of potential symptoms.
The link between hypothyroidism and alcoholism is not entirely clear-cut. Drinking alcohol in moderation has actually been reported to decrease the risk of developing hypothyroidism. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, and one study suggested that moderate drinking seems to reduce the risk of developing the condition.
Impacts of Hypothyroidism and Alcoholism
Drinking too much alcohol can have a major effect on the liver and other systems, such as the gut, which can have a knock-on effect on the thyroid hormones we need to stay healthy.
Even if alcohol consumption is not the direct cause of a particular case of hypothyroidism, further drinking should be avoided if you are diagnosed with the condition. Otherwise, you could make the situation and symptoms worse.
A number of the symptoms and side effects of alcohol addiction also overlap with some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, so symptoms such as fatigue, lowered heart rate, depression, impaired thought and memory issues could be worse if you drink while suffering from hypothyroidism.
Given the other health risks associated with alcohol, it is probably best to avoid drinking entirely if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
Get Help for Alcohol Addiction Today
If you do have an alcohol addiction, it can be very difficult to quit without expert help – even if you have a pressing concern like a hypothyroidism diagnosis.
If you are struggling to quit or even cut down on your drinking, get in touch today to find out how Nova Recovery can help.
John Gillen
- Author
- Last updated: December 21, 2023
John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.