|  | Conditions Treatments | Thyroid Disease

Alcohol & Overactive Thyroid

Hyperthyroidism, or thyrotoxicosis, occurs when too much thyroid hormone is produced in the body, resulting in an overactive thyroid. When this occurs, you may experience significant energy level changes, fluctuations in weight and appetite, difference in normal body temperature, racing heartbeat and even muscle or joint changes. It is important to carefully monitor an overactive thyroid by treating it with medication prescribed by your doctor. Pay attention to diet and alcohol intake, as alcohol can aggravate the causes, symptoms and side effects of hyperthyroidism.

  1. Alcohol

    • Your immune system can be disturbed by outside factors, forcing it to attack your thyroid and cause hyperthyroidism. The chances of this happening are increased by lack of exercise, smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol. If you are suffering from alcoholism and a thyroid condition, you should consider that one condition can affect the other adversely. Excessive drinking can increase your chances of developing an overactive thyroid.

    Mood Swings

    • Mood swings, especially in a person who doesn't have an existing mood disorder, can be a side effect of hyperthyroidism and are worsened by consuming alcohol. An overactive thyroid can induce hypomania (unusually elated mood), and cause mania, (severe hypomania accompanied by irrational behavior). Once medication is used to control the hyperthyroidism, these symptoms commonly dissipate.

    Addiction

    • Thyroxine 4, or T4, is the main thyroid hormone. Fluctuations in the conversion of T4 to Thyroxine 3, or T3, can affect you by causing depression or even an attention deficit. Researchers have found a link between alcohol addiction and thyroid imbalance. The Free University of Berlin conducted a study that concluded that rats whose brains produced more T3 from T4 were more dependent on alcohol. The study concluded that humans who are more prone to alcoholism may have brains that produce more T3 from T4.

    PMS

    • Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) sufferers may find that an overactive thyroid is contributing to PMS symptoms. Women who suffer from PMS are more likely to consume heavy amounts of alcohol, which ironically weakens your immune system and can adversely affect the thyroid further.

    Beta Blockers

    • Rapid heart rate is a common side effect of hyperthyroidism, and many patients with hyperthyroidism take beta-blockers in order to lower blood pressure and slow the force of contractions on the heart. If you are taking beta blockers, be careful with your alcohol intake, as alcohol can interfere with beta blockers and aggravate your hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid Disease - Related Articles