Can Total Thyroidectomy Affect The Result Of Blood Alcohol Level?

Posted on Fri, 22 Mar 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 Answered on

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I have come across numerous amounts of literature about the alteration in the process of alcohol metabolism in patients post total thyroidectomy. Is it true that this type of surgery can affect the results of a blood alcohol level reading? I have had a lot of answers that were very informative from all over the world. Is anyone from the United States on this forum. I ask this because I would like to get information from every country. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Enrique Molina (3 days later)

Alcohol metabolism is not directly related or influenced by the thyroid gland. Alcohol is all metabolized by the liver. However, patients that have a total thyroidectomy can be clinically hypothyroid if they are not given enough oral hormone replacement (with levothyroxine, brand name Synthroid - which is what you are taking), and patient that are hypothyroid can gain significant weight. Patients who gain weight (particularly if gained quickly) can accumulate fat in the liver, which can then lead to inflammation of the liver cells (called steatohepatitis) and ultimately cirrhosis of the liver (this takes years to develop). Patient with steatohepatitis and cirrhosis should not drink alcohol.
Therefore if this is the case, then yes, alcohol metabolism can be indirectly influenced post total thyroidectomy, if after surgery the thyroid levels are not controlled.
On the other hand there are a good number of studies supporting the fact that alcohol consumption decreases the chances of having autoimmune thyroid diseases. Other studies also show that there is a decreased risk of thyroid cancer in patients that drink alcohol (in moderate amounts!).
Hope that answered your question. Let me know if you have other concerns.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar