Liquid Thyroxine Improves Outcomes in Hypothyroid Patients With Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors' conclusion
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is common in patients with hypothyroidism and IBS. Among SIBO patients, LT4 tablets were inefficiently absorbed, leading to suboptimal thyroid control; however, transitioning from LT4 tablets to solution normalized TSH and improved hypothyroid symptoms. Liquid LT4 also significantly improved GI symptoms in all patients with hypothyroidism and IBS, regardless of SIBO status. Additionally, 1 in 5 patients had complete resolution of IBS symptoms after switching from LT4 tablets to solution, independent of changes in TSH.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with hypothyroidism and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Participants
- 75 adults
- Exposure
- Liquid levothyroxine (LT4) vs LT4 tablets
- Outcome
- Prevalence of SIBO in patients with hypothyroidism and IBS
- Follow-up
- Week 6
Methodological detailssingle-centre, open label
- Single-centre
- Open label
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
65.3%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
TSH normalized
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in SIBO subgroup
- Liquid LT4 significantly decreased TSH in subjects with SIBO
Symptoms and bowel habits
- Liquid LT4 improved hypothyroid symptoms, IBS symptoms and stool appearance in all groups
- Liquid LT4 significantly altered bowel frequency among those with SIBO
Original publication
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