Paper
Thyroid hormones and the gut.
Published Feb 1, 1971 · W. R. Middleton
Gut
72
Citations
2
Influential Citations
Abstract
Thyroid hormones have an effect on the gastrointestinal tract at all levels of organization and clinicians have long recognized the associations that exist between gastrointestinal symptoms and thyroid disease. Our present knowledge of the mechanisms by which thyroid hormones act on the gut is, however, fragmentary and much of the literature which deals with disturbances in gastrointestinal physiology in hyperand hypothyroidism is inconclusive." 2 This review is brief and makes no attempt to be comprehensive. It is intended to illustrate some aspects of the effects of altered thyroid function on the gastrointestinal tract rather than to dwell on the biochemical role of thyroid hormones at the cellular and subcellular level-a subject recently reviewed elsewhere.3 Patients with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and symptoms referable to the alimentary tract rarely regard these symptoms as major complaints. This may explain the paucity of studies relating gastrointestinal disturbances to thyroid disease. Changes in appetite, however, are commonly noted by patients, and whereas hyperthyroid patients tend to develop hyperphagia, hypothyroid patients more frequently decrease their food intake. Apart from these changes in diet the commonest gut-related complaints reported in thyroid diseases are undoubtedly those due to disordered bowel functionin particular alteration in bowel habit.
Literature Review
Highly CitedThyroid hormones affect the gastrointestinal tract, with common symptoms being changes in appetite and altered bowel habits in both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients.
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