A study of prevalence of hypothyroidism in cholelithiasis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: For decades there has been discussion whether thyroid disorders could cause gall stone disease. This study attempts to know the prevalence of hypothyroidism in cholelithiasis. There are many factors which can contribute to formation of gall stones in hypothyroidism like decrease in liver cholesterol metabolism, reduced hepatic bile secretion, reduced flow of bile into duodenum and impaired sphincter of oddi relaxation. METHODS: A cross sectional study was done between april 2014 to September 2014. 50 Patients diagnosed as cholelithiasis in department of general surgery, government royapettah hospital were included in the study.Full history, clinical examination, ultrasound abdomen and laboratory blood test for free T3,free T4 and TSH were done for every patient. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients of cholelithiasis, 29(58%) were females and 21(42%) were males. Thyroid disorder in form of hypothyroidism was found in 19 (38%) patients.In that 11(22%) patients presented with subclinical hypothyroidism and 8(16%) patients with clinical hypothyroidism. CONCLUSION: There is an increase in prevalence of hypothyroidism in cholelithiasis in this study. The prevalence was more among > 40 years age group.This increase in prevalence could have an effect on the diagnostic and therapeutic workup of cholelithiasis patients. Hypothyroidism should be considered as a separate risk factor like age, sex, obesity in cholelithiasis patients. So we should be aware of thyroid status in patients of cholelithiasis and should be screened for thyroid function