TSH response to TRH and family history of alcoholism

The thyrotropin (TSH) response to intravenous thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was evaluated in 10 sons of alcoholic fathers (FHP group) and 10 matched controls (FHN group). No differences were observed between the two groups in basal TSH, peak TSH levels, on the incidence of TSH-blunting to TRH. Though there was a trend for a less intense TSH response over time after the TRH infusion, the difference between the family groups was not significant. These results are not consistent with some previous reports of an increased percentage of blunted TSH response to TRH for children of alcoholics. The clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.