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. 2014 May;29(3):203–215. doi: 10.1152/physiol.00055.2013

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©2014 Int. Union Physiol. Sci./Am. Physiol. Soc.

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FIGURE 3. — Alcohol and the neuroendocrine system

Alcohol disrupts responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to psychological and physical stressors, and this has been implicated in the pathophysiology of pseudo-Cushing's syndrome, addiction, dependence, and relapse of recovering alcoholics. Alcohol produces dose-, frequency-, and duration-specific effects on arginine vasopressin (AVP), leading to alterations in water balance and mean arterial blood pressure homeostasis. Alcohol decreases the responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis to central stimulation, decreases circulating levels of triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄), and deiodination of T₄ to T₃. Chronic alcohol consumption disrupts the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and results in decreased testosterone levels, abnormal menstrual cycles, and infertility. GH, growth hormone; LH, luteinizing hormone; FSH, follicle stimulating hormone. The potential clinical consequences of alcohol abuse and its impact on the endocrine system are shown in the box.