[Alcohol and endocrinologic homeostasis]

Abstract

In addition to direct toxic effects on endocrine organs chronic alcohol intake affects regulation of endocrine systems by disturbed liver function. As a result in patients with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis gonadal axis is characterized by low total and free testosterone, elevated estradiol. LH, FSH, and sexual hormone binding globulin and an enhanced conversion of testosterone to estradiol. Prolactin also is found to be elevated. The thyrotropic axis is characterised by low T3- und T4- as well as elevated rT3-values and normal TSH. STH is elevated, while somatomedin C is decreased. The corticotropic axis may show an abolished circadian rhythm, a negative Dexamethasone-test, low transcortin and elevated free cortisol levels. The disturbance of the calcitropic axis leads to osteoporosis and osteomalacia, due to intestinal hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D malnutrition. In 50% of chronic alcoholics there are elevated insulin and glucagon values and a pathological glucose tolerance test.