Decreased thyroid gland volume in alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.

Thyroid function and thyroid gland volume were studied in 40 consecutive alcoholic patients with histologically proven cirrhosis of the liver, and compared with data obtained from 40 sex-, age-, and weight-matched normal subjects. Thyroid volume, measured ultrasonically, was significantly decreased in the patients with cirrhosis: median, 11 ml (range, 6-16 ml); compared to normal subjects: median, 20 ml (range, 10-31 ml) (P less than 0.001). Serum T3 concentrations were significantly reduced: median, 1.5 nmol/liter (range, 0.1-2.5 nmol/liter); compared to normal subjects: median, 2.2 nmol/liter (range, 1.5-2.8 nmol/liter) (P less than 0.001). The free T3 index was reduced accordingly. Serum TSH levels were significantly increased in cirrhosis: median, 2.1 microU/ml (range, 0.4-5.3 microU/ml); compared to normal subjects: median, 1.1 microU/ml (range, 0.3-3.8 microU/ml) (P less than 0.05). No significant differences were found in T3 resin uptake, free T4 index, or serum T4 levels between the two groups. No significant correlations could be demonstrated between thyroid gland volume and biochemical indices of liver function or thyroid function tests. It is suggested that alcohol might have a direct effect on the thyroid gland.