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Thyroid-Gut-Axis: How Does the Microbiota Influence Thyroid Function?

Nutrients
January 1, 1970
Jovana Knezevic et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine the role of copper, among other micronutrients, in thyroid hormone synthesis and its potential deficiency in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs).

Results Summary

The study found that copper is crucial for thyroid hormone synthesis and is often deficient in AITDs, contributing to thyroid malfunction. However, specific efficacy data or clinical outcomes related to copper supplementation were not detailed.

Population

Patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases (e.g., Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease) and thyroid carcinoma.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (16)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
healthy gut microbiota
increase
activity of the immune system
-
-
has beneficial effects on
#1
healthy gut microbiota
increase
thyroid function
-
-
has beneficial effects on
#2
damaged intestinal barrier
increase
intestinal permeability
-
-
increase of
#3
dysbiosis
neutral
AITDs
-
-
has been found in
#4
dysbiosis
neutral
thyroid carcinoma
-
-
has been reported in
#5
dysbiosis
increase
carcinogenic and inflammatory bacterial strains
thyroid carcinoma
-
increased number of
#6
composition of the gut microbiota
neutral
availability of essential micronutrients for the thyroid gland
-
-
has an influence on
#7
iodine, iron, and copper
neutral
thyroid hormone synthesis
-
-
are crucial for
#8
selenium and zinc
neutral
converting T4 to T3
-
-
are needed for
#9
vitamin D
neutral
immune response
-
-
assists in regulating
#10
micronutrients
decrease
AITDs
-
-
are often found to be deficient in
#11
micronutrient deficiency
decrease
malfunctioning of the thyroid
-
-
resulting in
#12
bariatric surgery
decrease
inadequate absorption of these nutrients
-
-
can lead to
#13
bariatric surgery
neutral
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and T3 levels
-
-
further implicates changes in
#14
supplementation of probiotics
increase
thyroid hormones
-
-
showed beneficial effects on
#15
supplementation of probiotics
increase
thyroid function in general
-
-
showed beneficial effects on
#16
Abstract

A healthy gut microbiota not only has beneficial effects on the activity of the immune system, but also on thyroid function. Thyroid and intestinal diseases prevalently coexist-Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD) are the most common autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) and often co-occur with Celiac Disease (CD) and Non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS). This can be explained by the damaged intestinal barrier and the following increase of intestinal permeability, allowing antigens to pass more easily and activate the immune system or cross-react with extraintestinal tissues, respectively. Dysbiosis has not only been found in AITDs, but has also been reported in thyroid carcinoma, in which an increased number of carcinogenic and inflammatory bacterial strains were observed. Additionally, the composition of the gut microbiota has an influence on the availability of essential micronutrients for the thyroid gland. Iodine, iron, and copper are crucial for thyroid hormone synthesis, selenium and zinc are needed for converting T4 to T3, and vitamin D assists in regulating the immune response. Those micronutrients are often found to be deficient in AITDs, resulting in malfunctioning of the thyroid. Bariatric surgery can lead to an inadequate absorption of these nutrients and further implicates changes in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and T3 levels. Supplementation of probiotics showed beneficial effects on thyroid hormones and thyroid function in general. A literature research was performed to examine the interplay between gut microbiota and thyroid disorders that should be considered when treating patients suffering from thyroid diseases. Multifactorial therapeutic and preventive management strategies could be established and more specifically adjusted to patients, depending on their gut bacteria composition. Future well-powered human studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of alterations in gut microbiota on thyroid function and diseases.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Bariatric SurgeryCeliac DiseaseDysbiosisFemaleGastrointestinal MicrobiomeGraves DiseaseHashimoto DiseaseHumansIodineIronMaleNutritional StatusProbioticsSeleniumThyroid DiseasesThyroid GlandThyroid NeoplasmsThyrotropinTriiodothyronineVitamin D
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy60/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations189
Citations/Year37.8
Relative Citation Ratio13.97
NIH Percentile98.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score24.40
Normalized Score0.59
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