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Functional Changes in the Thyroid Gland Following Bariatric Surgery.
Aliya Ishaq1, Warda Siddiqi2, Sohaib Darwish2
1General Surgery, Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai, ARE.
Cureus
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Bariatric surgery did not significantly alter thyroid function or thyroxine needs in patients, even those with hypothyroidism. Further long-term studies are recommended to confirm these findings on metabolic surgery and thyroid health.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Bariatric Surgery
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Obesity impacts thyroid homeostasis.
- Bariatric surgery improves metabolic profiles but may affect thyroid hormones (TSH, FT3, TT3).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess bariatric surgery's effect on thyroid function.
- To evaluate changes in thyroxine requirements for patients with and without hypothyroidism post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 853 patients undergoing bariatric surgery (2017-2023).
- Patients grouped by preoperative hypothyroidism status.
- Thyroid function and thyroxine doses monitored preoperatively and at 1- and 2-year follow-ups.
Main Results:
- Significant weight loss observed post-surgery.
- Thyroid function tests (TSH, free T4) remained stable.
- Minimal thyroxine dose adjustments needed in hypothyroid patients; no surgery type association.
- No correlation between BMI reduction and thyroid hormone level changes.
Conclusions:
- Bariatric surgery shows no significant impact on thyroid hormone levels or function.
- Thyroxine requirements remain largely unchanged post-bariatric procedures.
- Further long-term, multicenter research is warranted.
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