Thyroid disorders and gastrointestinal dysmotility: an old association

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) motility symptoms are frequently linked to thyroid diseases, sometimes serving as the sole indicator.
• Thyroid hormones directly influence GI tract muscle cells, but precise mechanisms remain under investigation.
• Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can disrupt normal GI function, affecting various segments from the pharynx to the duodenum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the complex associations between thyroid disorders and gastrointestinal dysmotility.
• To detail the common clinical manifestations of GI dysmotility in the context of thyroid dysfunction.
• To highlight the importance of considering thyroid disease in patients presenting with unexplained GI motility issues.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on thyroid disease and GI motility.
• Analysis of clinical presentations linking thyroid dysfunction to specific GI symptoms.
• Discussion of physiological mechanisms involving thyroid hormones and GI neuromuscular control.

Main Results:

• Hyperthyroidism can lead to faster GI transit, malabsorption, and diarrhea.
• Hypothyroidism often results in delayed gastric emptying and constipation.
• GI motility disturbances can occur even when typical thyroid disease symptoms are absent or masked.

Conclusions:

• Thyroid disorders significantly impact gastrointestinal motility across all segments.
• GI dysmotility symptoms may be the primary or only manifestation of thyroid disease.
• Careful evaluation of GI motility dysfunction is essential for detecting underlying, potentially masked, thyroid disorders.