The Effect of 6 Months of Methadone Maintenance Therapy on Serum Levels of Cortisol, TSH, T4, and PTH Hormones

This study aimed to investigate the effect of 6 months of methadone maintenance therapy on serum levels of cortisol, PTH, TSH, and T4 hormones. This study was performed to evaluate the impact of MMT on hormonal changes and the importance of this system’s proper function on the health and homeostasis of the body. This interventional study was conducted on 108 male patients with opium use disorder. The serum levels of cortisol, PTH, TSH, and T4 hormones were measured using the chemiluminescent method before and after 6 months of methadone maintenance therapy. The results showed that the mean serum cortisol levels were 131.51 ± 14.43 nM and 91.12 ± 12.56 nM before and after MMT, respectively. In contrast, PTH hormone levels were 18.12 ± 5.80 pg/ml and 25.63 ± 7.85 pg/ml nM before and after MMT, respectively. The serum TSH levels were 3.83 ± 2.13 mIU/L and 4.10 ± 2.71 mIU/L nM before and after MMT, respectively. And T4 hormone levels were 9.12 ± 2.20 µg/dl and 10.23 ± 2.59 µg/dl nM before and after MMT, respectively. Methadone maintenance therapy for 6 months results in a significant decrease in cortisol levels. Reduction in cortisol levels can cause weakness, fatigue, poor appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, myalgias, and low blood pressure. Also, MMT causes a significant but probably less clinically significant increase in PTH hormone. A considerable increase in PTH hormone results in persistent hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria, leading to renal and skeletal complications (e.g., nephrolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis, and osteoporosis). Methadone maintenance therapy does not significantly affect TSH and T4 hormone levels.