Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2009; 117(8): 395-399
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1202850
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Gallbladder Motor Function in Patients with Different Thyroid Hormone Status

M. Cakir1 , E. Kayacetin2 , H. Toy3 , S. Bozkurt4
  • 1Meram School of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
  • 2Meram School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
  • 3Department of Internal Medicine, Meram School of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
  • 4Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
Further Information

Publication History

received 09.04.2008 first decision 30.10.2008

accepted 09.02.2009

Publication Date:
16 April 2009 (online)

Abstract

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are known to affect cholesterol metabolism, bile acid synthesis and bile content. There are previous studies reporting increased prevalence of gallstone and common bile duct stone formation in hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to compare gallbladder (GB) motor function between euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid subjects by conventional ultrasonography. Eighteen euthyroid, 14 hypothyroid and 20 hyperthyroid, age, sex and body mass index matched subjects were included in the study. Etiology of hypothyroidism comprised of thyroidectomy, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and previous radioactive iodine therapy. Hyperthyroid group included patients with toxic nodular goitre and Graves’ disease. Patients who have diseases or are under drug treatment known to affect biliary function were not included in the study. Fasting and post-stimulus GB volumes were measured by real-time conventional ultrasonography and computer unit (Aloka UST-979, 3.5 mHz electronic convex probe, Japan). No significant differences were noted for fasting, post-stimulus GB volumes and GB ejection fraction between euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid subjects. Measuring GB motility accurately is not straightforward because besides being not static during fasting, after a meal, intermittent emptying and refilling of GB occurs. Ultrasonography is affected by GB filling and measures “net” GB emptying. Although cumbersome, additional evaluation with cholescintigraphy which detects “absolute” GB emptying and is not affected by GB filling may provide complete assessment of motor function and may be more informative in evaluating subjects with different thyroid hormone status.

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Correspondence

M. CakirMD 

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Meram School of Medicine

Selcuk University

42080 Meram

Konya/Turkey

Phone: +90/332/223 77 39

Fax: +90/332/223 61 81

Email: cakirmehtap@yahoo.com