Abstract

ABSTRACT: We studied 14 alcoholic men without evidence of liver damage. After two weeks of alcohol abstinence, the patients were divided into two groups of seven patients each. Hypothalamic-hypophysial, thyroid, and gonadal axis tests were done on group 1 patients before disulfiram administration, and the tests were later repeated while the patients were taking disulfiram. Group 2 patients had initial testing done while taking disulfiram and repeat testing after the drug was stopped. The following abnormalities were found and were not affected by disulfiram: lack of suppression of both growth hormone and glucagon with oral glucose intake, and lack of response of follicle-stimulating hormone after administration of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone. After disulfiram administration, we noticed a blunted response of thyrotropin to thyrotropin-releasing hormone.