Optimal - The Blog
March 29, 2025
Thyroid hormones are crucial in regulating metabolic activity across all organs, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where they influence motility and digestive enzyme secretion.
Both hypo- and hyperthyroidism can lead to GI dysmotility, impacting the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Hyperthyroidism is commonly associated with increased motility, diarrhea, and malabsorption, while hypothyroidism often presents with delayed gastric emptying and constipation.
In some cases, GI symptoms may be the only clinical clue pointing to thyroid dysfunction, underscoring the importance of evaluating thyroid health in patients with unexplained GI issues.
Optimizing GI health can significantly enhance thyroid replacement absorption, potentially reducing levothyroxine dosage requirements. Studies have shown that probiotics can lower TSH levels and improve symptoms in those with hypothyroidism. Correcting hypochlorhydria may also reduce replacement dosing.
Treating Helicobacter pylori infections, addressing food sensitivities (e.g., lactose or gluten intolerance), and optimizing gastric acid production can improve thyroid replacement absorption.
Managing GI conditions can support thyroid hormone stability and reduce thyroid replacement requirements.
Practitioners should consider comprehensive GI assessments in patients with thyroid disorders to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
Reference
Xu, Guang-Meng et al. “Thyroid disorders and gastrointestinal dysmotility: an old association.” Frontiers in physiology vol. 15 1389113. 2 May. 2024, doi:10.3389/fphys.2024.1389113 This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).
