Prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with gallstone disease

Abstract

Back ground:Earlier, the studies had been shown an increased prevalence of previously diagnosed hypothyroidism in gallstone patient and a delayed emptying of the biliary tract in hypothyroidism, explained partly by the missing prorelaxing effect of thyroxine on the sphincter of oddi contractility . failure and disturbances of lipid metabolism that may consecutively lead to change of the composition of the bile and motility of biliary tract. Aim:To show the prevalence of previously undiagnosed hypothyroidism in patients with gallstones .
Patient and method:A cross sectional study was done in Al-Sader Teaching Hospital in Al-Najaf city between 15th of February 2008 and 1st of November 2009 of 225 cases were taken to show relation between gallstone and hypothyroidism. For every patient with diagnosed gallstone, full history and clinical examination was taken and sent for ultrasound of neck for goitre detection and laboratory blood test for T3, T4 and TSH.
Results:Out of 225 patients with gallstone 198 (88%) were females and 27 (12%) males. Thyroid disorder in form of hypothyroidism was found in 24 (10.6%), (from this percentage 22 (9.7%) were females and from this 18 (8.0%) were subclinical and 4 (1.7%) were clinical hypothyroidism and males were 2 (0.9%) with subclinical cases. From 225 cases with gallstones, 22(9.7%) cases complaining from goitre. Peak age between 51- 60 years. Conclusion and recommendation:There is no significant association between hypothyroidism and gallstones in both genders. Gallstone patients between 51-60 years should be checked for serum TSH, T3 and T4 because of high incidence of hypothyroidism among this age group.