The Effect of Methadone on Hypophyseal and Peripheral Glandular Hormones during Withdrawal

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Abstract
The influence of methadone on the hypophyseal and peripheral glandular hormones of young male drug addicts was investigated at the end of a step by step withdrawal phase after several years addiction. The hormones were measured basally and in a combined function test for the adenohypophyseal partial functions. Cortisol, thyroxine, triiodothyronine and HGH were normal. Large changes were observed in the sex hormones in so far as a decrease in the concentration of free testosterone (4.8 ± 0.56 ng testosterone/ml; 90.6 ± 24.1 pg free testosterone/ml plasma as opposed to 5.64 ± 0.44 ng/ml and 126.0 ± 18.8 pg/ml for healthy individuals; p-3 vs 0.41 ± 0.08 × 10-3; p<0.01). Of the other hormones, FSH in these patients was significantly increased (7.2 ± 1.4 vs 2.9 ± 0.7 mU/ml; p<0.01) and prolactin significantly decreased (6.2 ± 2.3 vs 12.6 ± 3.1 ng/ml; p < 0.02), whereas LH and TSH were normal. The increase in prolactin after administration of TRH was significantly lower in these patients than in the control group (14.4 ± 5.1 vs 22.5 ± 6.1 ng/ml). Our results indicate that even after several year: use of methadone, normal adrenal and thyroid function is found after removal from this drug, whereas a protracted disturbance is observed in gonadal regulation.